Arrangements made for return of IDPs to NWA by end of March

PESHAWAR: An official of the political administration said on Sunday that arrangements had been finalised for the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their respective areas in North Waziristan Agency by the end of March.
Talking to The News by phone from Bannu, Assistant Political Agent (APA) Frontier Region (FR) Bannu, Javedullah Mahsud said the repatriation would be phase-wise as earlier it was emergency-like situation when the IDPs in June 2014 were leaving their areas before the launch of the Operation Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan and were heading for the settled areas. He said the displaced families would be repatriated to areas that had been cleared of the militants.
He said the process would be relatively slow as it would ensure the safe return of the IDPs. He said the IDPs would be given six-month rations and financial assistance to rebuild their damaged houses.
Regarding the number of IDPs in the camp set up for them in Bakkakhel area in FR Bannu, the official said more than 3,000 families have been accommodated in the camp.
On the other hand, tribal elder and leader of Pakistan People’s Party Malik Ghulam Khan asked the authorities to resolve the issues of the IDPs as announced by the government at the time of their displacement. He said: “The federal and provincial governments should focus on solution to the IDPs’ problems instead of playing politics over the issue.”
He said the salaries of the government employees of North Waziristan Agency should be paid forthwith, otherwise they would stage protests. He urged the government to compensate the IDPs and establish industries in their areas to provide job opportunities to the youth. He asked the government to establish tented schools upon their repatriation to North Waziristan until the destroyed educational institutions are rebuilt.
Malik Ghulam Khan said the government should change its policy for the tribal areas in order to let the tribal people live a peaceful life. The Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) Peshawar spokesman, Col Nadeem Anwar told The News that the security forces had cleared most of the areas, including Esha, Mir Ali, Saidgai, Miranshah, Dattakhel and the villages located along the Miranshah-Bannu road. “The return of the IDPs is most likely expected at the end of March,” he added.