Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday approved establishing a permanent military base in the picturesque but troubled Swat Valley, where teenage activist Malala Yousufzai hails from.
Pakistani Taliban’s current chief Maulana Fazlullah had earlier controlled the area since 2007 and the military had launched an operation and was able to wrest it back in 2009.
Malala was shot at by the Taliban in Swat in 2012.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has in principle approved and announced a brigade level cantonment for Swat and (adjacent) Malakand areas,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
“The prime minister lauded the role played by the army in bringing peace and stability to the area,” it added.
Sharif gave his approval during a briefing given to him.
Military spokesperson Maj Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted, saying Sharif “praised Army’s gains in operations. Acknowledged Army’s efforts in bringing peace”.
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