Protestors marched between two towns of Pakistan’s restive Swat district July 5 in response to proposed plans by the military for a major new “counter-terrorist” operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the border with Afghanistan. The protest, organized by the local groups Ulasi Passon (Public Revolution) and Orakzai Peace Movement, saw thousands marching with white flags and signs reading “We want peace” and “We hate government terrorism.” However, the government reiterated that the operation against militant organizations in the region, dubbed Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), will go ahead. The armed forces insisted that unlike the last major push against the insurgents, Operation Zarb-e-Azb of 2014, the new operation will not result in mass displacement of residents. (Jurist, The Diplomat)
