STAFF REPORT PESH: A portion of the palace of late Wali of Swat has been donated to the University of Swat to establish its departments till the construction of its permanent campus.
Purpose of this initiative is an effort to promote higher education in the once troubled valley and to continue with the legacy of the forefathers.
The portion donated to the university was being used by MNA Musarrat Ahmedzeb and her son, Miangul Umar Farooq.
Constructed in 1913, the building was once the darbar hall of the palace where the founder of the state Miangul Shahzada Abdul Wadud and later his son Miangul Abdul Haq Jehanzeb used to hold jirgas.
“My son made me very proud today by donating half of his house to the University of Swat. They will establish a part of their campus in the building till construction of their permanent campus,” Musarrat said.
Education in Swat suffered a lot during the last one decade after scores of the schools were bombed, people were tortured and parents were directed not to send their kids, especially girls, to school.
Malala Yousafzai, a daughter of Swat, won the Nobel Peace Prize when she started campaigning for the rights of education for girls. She was targeted by the militants, but she narrowly escaped death.