It took only weeks for the Pakistani military to drive virtually the entire population of the scenic Swat Valley, once a popular tourist attraction, into refugee camps. It will take at least three years, according to preliminary assessments from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, to repair the damage done in the massive offensive.
The authorities put the overall cost of the rebuilding at $2.5 billion, adding that this was a “very initial estimate” that could rise considerably before all is said and done. The three year timeline assumed all the funding necessary was made available, an open question in the nearly bankrupt nation.
The offensive has been doing on for months now, but the military just finally started allowing civilians back into the region last week, and millions remain in the refugee camps.
Despite the repeated claims that the war was almost over, violence has lingered in the region around the Swat Valley, and the military has claimed to have killed over 50 in the last two days in the Lower Dir district.
Did the army establish…..or ……DESTROY …….the control BY Islamabad over [in] Swat.. I.E.~~Have they won or lost?? Breaking down and blowing up the "order" is NOT a WIN…Probably a loss…….In how many places can the army BE at ONCE ?? Is spreading govt violence good?? We wait 2C!!!