Mr. BAN KI-MOON
Secretary-General of the United Nations
4 February 2009

SUBJECT: PAKISTANI CITIZENS’ PETITIONS TO STOP CARNAGE IN THE NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE AND FEDERALLY ADMINISTERED TRIBAL AREAS
 
Dear Sir,
As concerned citizens of Pakistan, committed to human rights and human development, we are appalled by the continuing genocide and reign of terror that has been unleashed on our people in the North West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

In Swat, over 186 schools have either been destroyed or occupied by the military or the militants.  After January 15th 2009, 119,248 girls are affected and 3425 female teachers have been rendered jobless. Of the 1.7 million residents of Swat, 700,000 people have been displaced. The number rises by the minute (Fact sheet attached). 

We, the citizens, represent coalitions and organisations committed to the cause of saving the NWFP, including Swat,  and our tribal areas.  We have led an active protest since 2007 and particularly since the past year when the situation in the NWFP and FATA has worsened. The campaign of one of the organisations has intensified since the eve of January 14th, 2009, one day prior to the closing down of girls' schools/colleges in Swat. Our protest has been in the form of Petitions; Signature Campaigns; Online Petitions; Media Coverage; Fact Sheets to Parliamentarians. To date 18,000 citizens have signed these Petitions. 

The networks and organisations of citizens involved in this drive and writing to you are:

1. Pukhtun Peace Forum: Based In Canada and currently appealing to Pukhtuns and non-Pukhtuns to save their land.

2. Idara e Taleem O Aagahi: Working on education. Registered in June 2000. Primary focus on comprehensive education reform beginning with public sector schools which are in a state of decay and degeneration.  Also in other sectors of basic education in non-formal and literacy programmes for disadvantaged groups. (signatures of education institutions and students attached).

3. NWFP Citizens' for Peace: An informal group of individuals from the NWFP who started a petition drive and presented this to the Provincial Government in December, 2007. The drive continues. The group consists of an ex Foreign Secretary, ex Ambassadors, civil society members, private sector representatives and other citizens of the Province. The drive was nation-wide and also signed from other countries, through an e Petition. (signatures attached)

4. Aryana Institute for Regional Research & Advocacy: A think tank working towards peace, consisting of academics and scholars. Concentrate on the area between the Oxus and Indus rivers and working towards spreading moderation and tolerance for our people. (Signatures attached)

The petitions and signatures of Idara e Taleem o Agahi specifically dealing with the education situation in Swat, have been delivered week after week since January 14th, to the following:

• The  President of Pakistan
• The Prime Minister of Pakistan
• The Chief of Army Staff  of Pakistan
• Director of Pakistan’s  Inter-Services Intelligence   
• Federal Ministers and Secretaries for Interior, Information, Education,  Human Rights and Social Welfare & Special Education/NCCWD
• Governor NWFP; Chief Minister NWFP
• Chief Ministers Sindh, Baluchistan & Punjab
• Education Minister and Secretary NWFP & Director Education FATA
• Speaker National Assembly
• Chairman Senate
• Parliamentarians : Chairperson Standing Committees: National Assembly and Senate
• Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on  Social Sectors

We are appealing to the United Nations as we realise the situation in Pakistan is not one contained within our boundaries and has serious international consequences. It is an issue for the world to take extremely seriously. We believe civil society and the international bodies need to come together for peace in our country.
We are demanding the following through the United Nations:

• Stop the GENOCIDE in the NWFP (particularly in Swat) and FATA immediately

• Initiate a formal Independent Inquiry Commission into the protracted Genocide in Swat, Talibanisation through collusion and with no writ of the Pakistani State and the military    

• Restore Girls’ and Women’s education with immediate effect, with protection.   

• Provide an institutional mechanism for temporary admission for displaced children into other  schools on an emergency, temporary basis, to give their examinations

• Address urgently the needs of the displaced people of NWFP districts and FATA  

As the leading organisation for global peace and humanitarian assistance, we request you to act urgently and seriously and to start a global campaign to save our Province and our country from the growing menace of extremism.
Sincerely

• Idara e Taleem O Aagahi

2. The Pukhtun Peace Forum
3. NWFP Citizens' for Peace
4. Aryana Institute for Regional Research & Advocacy

 
CC Mr Fikret Akcura, Resident Coordinator Pakistan
Facts Sheet on SWAT-   Education & Other Vital Data
January 2009
I- Statistics on the number of girls affected due to the closure of schools

Total number of girls in public schools= 84248

Total girls affected                                   = 119,248

Total number of lady teachers rendered jobless= 3425
II- UPDATES ON SCHOOLS DESTRUCTION IN DISTRICT SWAT
(UP TO.  26TH DECEMBER 2009)

No of students affected

No of Schools occupied by Security forces       20
No of schools occupied by Taliban                      06
No of Schools closed due to fear                         60
No of schools Specified for IDPs                           01
                                                            Total    87
No of students in the schools occupied by
Security Forces, Taliban/closed due to fear :     13874

1.         Total Number of Students affected                      59378 (23.17 % of total enrolled students)
2.         Total Number of Govt: schools in District Swat   1576
3.         Total enrollment in schools                                     265170
4.         No of schools in Mingora city                                27
Security Forces have been deployed to 2 girls' middle schools in Mingora city @ 30 Personnel per school. More over security forces have been deployed to Jehan Zeb College as well.

Other Losses

February 3, 2009

Source: Prepared by the Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy (AIRRA)www.airra.org