Expedite repatriation of IDPs

Since the repatriation process of the internally displaced persons started on March 31, the government has so far repatriated 17,547 families to Miranshah and Mir Ali of North Waziristan Agency. They had lefty their abodes when Zarbe-e-Azb was launched on June 15, 2014 so that military could effectively destroy the terrorists who had traumatized the people and made their lives miserable. After most of the areas had been cleared of the militants, the government in March 2015 decided to send back the uprooted families to their native villages and towns in the tribal region. According to a media report, 17,547 families repatriated so far are the Dawar and Wazir tribes’ people. So far 66,779 people have been repatriated to their villages in Miranshah and Mir Ali subdivisions, out of them 50601 people have been provided ration cards and 13194 given ATM cards.
Of course, the pace of repatriation is rather slow, as the people have been anxiously waiting to return their native areas and restart their life there. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif recently visited North Waziristan and inaugurated a modern Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in Mir Ali. Earlier, army has helped the displaced persons in every way, and the government should expedite the repatriation process. The displaced persons of North Waziristan and Khyber Agency have faced hardships with a view to ensuring lasting peace in Pakistan. Since 95 per cent of the areas in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency have been cleared, and military is busy in eliminating the remnants, the civil administration with the help of the army has started making arrangements for their return to their homes.
In fact, repatriation had started from 1st April 2015 but much progress could not be made, as this is not an ordinary undertaking. A staggering number of over one million displaced persons were registered after our security forces began the Zarb-e-Azb operation against militants on 15th June 2014, which necessitated evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Taking care of the displaced families is not the responsibility of the state alone; it is binding upon each and every Pakistani to come forward to help these people, as they are heroes of the nation who sacrificed their today for the sake of peace in the country. The best way to acknowledge their sacrifices was to provide them best treatment and best possible facilities during their temporary stay away from homes. Now it is our turn to pay them back by ensuring them honorable rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Therefore, all political parties of the country and all segments of society should support the government in its efforts to rehabilitate the IDPs. Since, the government and military have done a lot, the people of Pakistan must also do their bit now. It is pertinent to mention as to what was done for the IDPs. For the families living in the camps and some in school buildings, round the clock provision of electricity had been ensured. Temporary mosques were built and medical facilities were made available to them by the army. Polio vaccines had been administered to every child coming out of the agency. The people and notables of North Waziristan expressed their gratitude to the government for undertaking the military operation so that they could live in their homes without fear.
On successful military operation in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency, terrorists have been routed, people are jubilating as they see end of their nightmare. With peace restored in the area, its residents have started returning to their homes to lead a normal life. It would be injustice if one does not pay tributes to the armed forces for the great achievement in that they have almost cleared and recovered the area where militants, terrorists and thugs aided and abetted by foreign intelligence agencies had complete control. They were armed with sophisticated and heavy weapons, rocket launchers and anti-tank guns and equipment. There is no doubt that Pakistan’s security forces are one of the best in the world, and what they have achieved within a short span of time, is reflective of their professionalism and dedication.