MINGORA, Feb 16: Swatis heaved a sigh of relief after the NWFP chief minister announced on Monday promulgation of the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation in Malakand region and curfew was lifted.

People thronged streets and bazaars in Mingora and other towns in the district, distributed sweets and offered thanksgiving prayers.

The chief minister’s announcement was followed by a statement by a military spokesman, of lifting the curfew which had been in force for about 15 months.

“Soon after the announcements, people from nearby areas rushed to Mingora bazaar for shopping. Everybody looked happy as if there was a festival,” said a resident.

A large number of people gathered at the main Green Square, which had been turned into “Zabahkhana (slaughter) chowk” by militants who used to hang bodies of their opponents with electric poles.

People displaced from nearby villages started returning to their homes from relief camps in Mingora and adjoining areas.

Most of the people in the camps in Mingora are likely to leave by Tuesday.

“The new development is a ray of hope for all the people of the region who hope that with the return of normalcy, tourists will start visiting Swat and economy will improve,” said a trader.

A schoolteacher said people were optimistic that their children would be able to go to schools without fear of bomb explosions and kidnapping.

However, a government official said: “Everyone is welcoming the move and prays for peaceful days, but nothing can be said at the moment about how things will shape up in future.

Taliban have announced a ceasefire only for some days and the government has set conditions for enforcing the regulation.”