Army introduces de-radicalisation centre in Swat

Published April 25, 2012
A general view of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
A general view of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Men make wooden panels in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters
Men make wooden panels in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters
Men learn how to fix a vehicle engine in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Men learn how to fix a vehicle engine in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Men sit in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Men sit in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Men learn electrical work in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Men learn electrical work in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
A soldier stands guard at the main entrance of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
A soldier stands guard at the main entrance of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.
Pakistan’s military drove militants out of Swat in 2009. Mashal de -radicalisation centre is in the building which used to be the headquarters of the militants from where they imposed there austere version of Islam. Eventually, the army realised it couldn’t secure long-term peace with bullets alone. So military officers, trainers, moderate clerics and psychologists were chosen to run three-month courses designed to erase “radical thoughts” of those accused of aiding the Taliban. School officials say about 1,000 people have graduated since the initiative began two years ago, and that only 10 per cent were not cleared for release.

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