PROVINCE REPORT
SWAT : Former Chairman of WAPDA, Lt Gen (R) Muzamil Hussain, accompanied by a delegation of senior Pakistan Army officers, visited Swat on Friday, where they were accorded a traditional Pashtun welcome by Advocate Sardar Waqar Shahzad and his family during a gathering that highlighted national unity, social harmony and the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The delegation travelled from Rawalpindi and included Brigadier Imran Ahmed, Brigadier Iftikhar Ali Khan, Brigadier Ahmed Nawaz and Colonel Janjua. Upon arrival at the residence of Sardar Waqar Shahzad, the guests were warmly received by the host and his father, Haji Shahzad, in accordance with the longstanding traditions of Pashtun hospitality.
During the nearly three-hour visit, participants exchanged views on national service, community values, intergenerational understanding and the importance of unity in strengthening the country. As a symbolic gesture promoting environmental conservation, Lt Gen (R) Muzamil Hussain planted a sapling in the garden and presented flowers and gifts to Haji Shahzad.
In return, the host family presented the distinguished guests with traditional cultural souvenirs, including Swati shawls, Chitrali caps and handcrafted wall hangings, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of the people of Swat.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Waqar Shahzad expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a great honour for his family and the people of Swat to host such distinguished guests. He said Pashtun hospitality remained a defining tradition of the region and that such interactions helped strengthen ties between national institutions, local communities and the younger generation.
The visit concluded with special prayers for Pakistan’s peace, stability, progress and prosperity, while participants reaffirmed the importance of promoting unity, mutual respect and national cohesion through meaningful engagement between communities and public institutions.
