47 ex-militants freed in northwest Pakistan

Pakistani security forces today released 47 former militants after they completed a vocational training programme in the Bajaur tribal region.
The former militants participated in the 12-week training programme at Navi Saher, an institute run by security forces in Bajaur Agency.
A ceremony to mark the release of the men, held at the headquarters of the Bajaur Scouts, was attended by the army sector commander, Brigadier Haider, Political Agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah, tribal elders and officials.
Haider called on the former militants to use their energies in serving humanity and urged them to take advantage of their new beginning. He said militants were big enemies of Islam and Pakistan.

Shah said Bajaur Agency had been cleared of militants and normalcy restored after successful operations by security forces backed by local tribesmen.