SWAT: Students and visitors, including foreigners, explored various sections of the Swat Museum and engaged in discussions on research with scholars on Saturday.

Students from Khushal School and College and SPS College along with their teachers, cultural activists and international tourists visited the museum to mark the International Museum Day.

This year’s theme was ‘museums for education and research’.

The students emphasised the importance of the museum for research and education.

They also highlighted the significance of Pakistan-China friendship on the occasion.

Visit various sections of museum

The students expressed their delight at seeing their own museum filled with precious and historical artifacts. “Today, I saw various sculptures of Buddha influenced by the Gandhara civilisation, and I was amazed by the diverse heritage showcased in the museum,” said Hassan Khan, a student of SPS College, adding the museum served as an educational institution for students where they learned a great deal.

International tourists remarked that the Swat Museum was significant as it was one of the largest museums in the country, renowned for its collection from the Gandhara civilisation.

RALLY: The Insaf Lawyers Forum’s Swat chapter on Saturday demanded the immediate release of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan from jail, and warned that if he was not released soon, they would initiate a nationwide protest movement.

The demand was made by the forum’s members, who gathered outside the Swat Press Club after reaching there in a rally from the district courts.

The forum’s president Naseerullah Khan Advocate, general secretary Haider Ali Khan Advocate, joint secretary Zahid Kakakhel Advocate, and others led the rally.

They also shouted slogans in favour of their demands.

The ISF leaders described Imran as a fearless and honest leader, who had now become the voice of the poor people, for which he was locked behind bars.

They insisted the former prime minister was the only leader resonating with people disillusioned by other politicians.

They declared that Imran was the only leader who could change the destiny of Pakistan.

They said telling the truth was considered a crime in the country, and due to his truthfulness and rising popularity, he had been imprisoned.

ROAD REHABILITATION: The elders of Kalam and its suburbs have expressed concern over delay in the reconstruction of a six-kilometre road that was washed away by recent flash floods.

They threatened to bar the entry of government authorities and elected representatives into the area if the road was not rehabilitated at the earliest.

Speaking at a news conference at the Swat Press Club the other day, the elders demanded an investigation into the funds allocated for the road’s reconstruction.

Elders from Kalam, Matiltan, Utror, Gabral and adjacent areas said despite the approval of funds for the road reconstruction, progress had been minimal.

The elders said numerous bridges on the road had also been destroyed in the floods.

Moreover, they said frequent accidents due to the road’s poor condition were resulting in loss of lives and injuries.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2024