MILITARISM AND POLITICAL RESISTANCE IN SWAT: THE ROLE OF MUHAMMAD AFZAL KHAN LALA

Abstract

Swat is an administrative district of Pakistan. It is situated in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is called the Switzerland of Pakistan due to its natural beauty. It saw many ups and downs during the past few years in which the Taliban Movement is of prime importance that was started in Swat under the command of Maulana Fazlullah. It was the time, when the Taliban targeted the prominent people of Swat along with government officials who were vocal against their ideology. Muhammad Afzal Khan Lala strongly condemned the Taliban, their interpretation of Islam and their atrocities against the innocent people. The Taliban attacked him and his home many times and his two bodyguards and two nephews Zakir Khan and Shakir Khan were also killed in an ambush. But despite it, he did not leave Swat and remained there till his death in 2015. Being a Pashtun nationalist, he did not leave his people at the mercy of Taliban and remained with them in their hard time of history, although many prominent people had already left Swat and were shifted to other parts of the country. Keeping in view his valor and bravery, the Government of Pakistan also awarded him with the Hilal-i-Shujaat. In this article, an attempt has been made to highlight his stand against militarism in Swat in 2007-2009. This study adds to the regional history of Swat and will prove beneficial for researchers and general readers.