Pakistan army soldiers patrol in Kabal, a village of Swat Valley.—Photo by AP

KARACHI The army is acquiring thousands of kanals of land for four garrisons it has planned to set up in Swat - one each in Barikot, Kabal, Khwazakhela and Matta - bypassing the law and, in some instances, to the displeasure of local people, the Herald reports.

According to a report published in the magazine's August issue, that hit the newsstands today (Friday), military officials appointed in Swat are heading negotiations with local land-owners for the acquisition of land.

This is in violation of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which states that only the civilian administration is authorised to acquire land for public purposes.

Some local people are also not happy with the land acquisition and the prices being offered. Sher Shah Khan, whose family will lose 4,000 kanals of land in Kabal to a cantonment, is one of them.

“We told the army that this is our source of livelihood but they said there was no possibility of the government acceding to our demand of not building a garrison in this area,” he said.

A known political figure of Matta, who wishes to remain anonymous, puts it this way “Paying 73 rupees per square foot for fertile land of Swat is a joke being played on the Swati people. It is less than you pay for a square foot of an average quality carpet.”