SWAT: Federal Minister for Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs and Safron Engineer Amir Muqam said here on Monday that government successfully averted the country`s economic collapse within 16 months.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government reduced the inflation rate from 38 percenttofourpercentthroughcontinuous effort and dedication.

He was addressing a gathering of lawyers from Malakand division. The event was attended by Peshawar High Court Mingora Bench Bar Association president Noorul Hadi, general secretary Wajid Ali Khan, Qaimos Khan, Sardar Khan, Fazal Rahman Nono, District Swat Bar Association president Faheem Khan and a large number of lawyers from Malakand division.

Mr Muqam said that founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was also a lawyer. He said that lawyers played a pivotal role in the nation`s development and security. He highlighted the role of legal community in the passage of 26th Amendment.

He said that judicial reforms and expansion of judiciary by increasing the number of judges were significantachievements of the government. `The government has focused on meeting the demands of justice by ensuring swift resolution of pending cases,` he added.

He said that terrorism remained a major challenge in Malakand division.

He said that the peace achieved through significant sacrifices would not be compromised. He added that the tax exemptions granted to the people of Malakand division and merged districts were a direct result of their sacrifices.

Despite not having an electoral mandate, Muqam reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people. `The responsibility of public service in Swat is not contingent upon electoral votes, he said. He urged elected representatives to prioritise public welfare projects and development.

Mr Muqam said that no large-scale military operation was under way in Malakand division. Instead, he described it a `targeted operation aimed at combating terrorism.` He said that the people would not be displaced again and called for national unity, separating the issues of terrorism from politics.

`There is no room for further terrorism in Pakistan,` he added.

He announced a grant of Rs2 million for Mingora bench of Peshawar High Court. The event was also addressed by Advocate Noorul Hadi and Shah Faisal.