The narrative surrounding the Kanju Cantonment in Swat has become dangerously distorted, fueled by misinformation and political opportunism.

A recent report in the Dawn newspaper, alleging that local jirga members have refused to provide land for cantonment expansion, is categorically false. Security sources have confirmed that no new land acquisition is planned. This fabrication, however, serves a larger, more insidious agenda: to incite public unrest against the state.

The Kanju Cantonment Board, established in 2014 with the approval of the then-PTI provincial government, exists for the welfare and development of the area.

As part of its routine operations, the Board periodically conducts surveys to define boundaries and update maps.
These surveys, a standard practice for cantonments nationwide, have been deliberately misrepresented as a prelude to expansion and land grabbing.

To quell any genuine concerns, the district administration and senior Cantonment Board officials have repeatedly met with local residents, offering clear and unambiguous assurances:

1)The Kanju Cantonment Board will not alter existing local tax laws or impose new taxes, mirroring the practice in other cantonments across Pakistan.

2)No new walls will be constructed to demarcate the Cantonment Board’s boundaries. The existing boundaries, established with the community input, will remain unchanged.

3)There are no plans to acquire additional land for the expansion of the Kanju cantonment. The current boundaries are fixed.

4)Local residents will continue to have unrestricted access to areas within the Cantonment Board’s jurisdiction. No new restrictions on movement or access are contemplated.

These assurances, consistently reiterated in numerous meetings, should have dispelled any legitimate doubts. Yet, a narrative of apprehension and distrust persists, carefully cultivated by those with vested interests in destabilizing the region.

A small, localized organization calling itself “Samaa Laar,” with limited grassroots support, has emerged as a key player in this campaign of misinformation.

Allegedly funded by the PTI, this group has been actively engaged in spreading rumours and inciting public anger. The involvement of prominent PTI politicians, including Sohail Khan (MNA), Sultan Rumi (MPA), Akhtar Khan (MPA), Ayub Khan (former MPA), Rehmat Khan (former MPA), and Akbar Khan (former Commissioner), further underscores the political motivation behind this orchestrated campaign. Their participation in protests and meetings with “Samaa Laar” reveals a calculated strategy to exploit local anxieties for political gain, even at the cost of national security.

The historical context of land acquisition in Swat is crucial to understanding the current situation. Before 1947, the army acquired 995 acres of land in the region. In 2016, an additional 673 acres were acquired in various locations, including Khwazakhela, Shangla, and Kanju, for specific operational needs. These acquisitions, transparent and legally sound, are now being twisted to create a false narrative of ongoing land grabs.

The facts regarding these land acquisitions have been repeatedly communicated to the Cantonment Board, local military authorities, and public representatives. Despite this, certain individuals continue to peddle misinformation, deliberately misleading the public and fanning the flames of partisan politics.

This reckless manipulation of public sentiment poses a grave threat to the region’s stability and undermines efforts to maintain peace and security.
This is not simply a matter of local politics. It is a dangerous game being played with national security. Swat, a region that has already endured its share of turmoil, cannot afford to be plunged back into chaos by those seeking to exploit local grievances for political advantage.

The public must be vigilant against such manipulative tactics and refuse to be pawns in a political chess game that jeopardizes the well-being of the entire community.

The Kanju Cantonment Board was established in 2014 at the request of the then-PTI provincial government, with the foundation stone laid by then-Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. This historical fact underscores the irony of the current PTI stance. The routine annual surveys conducted in and around Kanju Cantt and Swat are essential for updating maps and reflecting ground realities. These are standard procedures, not precursors to expansion.

The people of Swat must recognize the difference between legitimate concerns and politically motivated propaganda. They must reject the siren calls of those who seek to exploit their anxieties for personal gain. National security is too important to be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. The public is urged to be discerning, to seek out the truth, and to resist the machinations of those who would sow discord and undermine the peace and stability of the region.

Palwasha Aftab is a security analyst & holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.