‘Self-rhetorical lies’: Pakistan rejects Kabul’s claims over Nuristan clashes

The Ministry of Information on Wednesday rejected the Afghan Taliban minister’s allegations against Pakistan as “self-rhetorical lies”, saying the statements aimed at externalising the regime’s internal problems reflected its “despair and frustration” in dealing with its own issues. Fighting between the Afghanistan Freedom Front and the Taliban resumed on Tuesday morning, Sept 29, in Nuristan’s Kamdesh district, Afghanistan International reported citing informed sources, adding that the clashes began with a Taliban attack. Meanwhile, the Taliban Defence Ministry said its operation against armed opponents in Kamdesh had ended, claiming that 41 people were killed and 62 others detained. In a statement posted on X, the ministry’s fact-checking account described the latest allegations by the Taliban’s “so-called Minister for Borders” and other “mouthpieces” as “self-rhetorical lies” aimed at diverting attention from what it called serious internal oppression, dissent and instability. Calling the Afghan Taliban a “non-inclusive and non-representative regime”, the ministry said it had imposed itself on the Afghan people through “force and oppression”. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 | 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ◼️ The latest allegations by so called Minister for Borders and other mouthpieces of the Taliban regime seeking to attribute the fighting in Nuristan to Pakistan are self rhetorical… pic.twitter.com/S4z5EYre5K — Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) September 30, 2026 “These comical statements to externalise their internal issues and follow-up rhetoric directed towards Pakistan actually reflect the despair and frustration in handling their own issues,” it said. The ministry further said the Taliban remained “willingly oblivious” to what it described as their “un-Islamic abetment of terror”, adding that the group was acting as a proxy for a “Hindutva design” for the sake of the interests of some of its leaders. “This rentier approach of destabilising the region for money as a proxy of agencies is leading the Taliban only towards a self-destructive path, devoid of dignity and honour,” the statement said. Read: Pakistan rubbishes Afghan Taliban claim of captured post as 'false and fabricated' The statement came after Taliban Borders, Tribes and Tribal Affairs Minister Noorullah Noori warned Pakistan, saying Islamabad should learn from Afghanistan’s history and that Taliban opponents would be “defeated” if they chose war. Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting with Kuchi elders from six provinces, Noori said those seeking to destabilise Afghanistan would face “serious consequences”. Referring to the tensions, Noori said: “Pakistan’s army and intelligence services should understand the people of Afghanistan from a historical, ideological, political and practical perspective.” Taliban opponents, including the Afghanistan Freedom Front, National Resistance Front and United Front of Afghanistan, have stepped up attacks against the Taliban in recent months. Criticising the group’s political and military opponents, including the National Resistance Front, the minister said Taliban opponents had stood alongside what he called “occupiers” during the presence of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan but now spoke of fighting for freedom. This is not the first time the Afghan Taliban regime has levelled allegations against Pakistan. In the past, it has accused Pakistan of facilitating infiltration, carrying out airstrikes and smuggling weapons into Afghanistan, allegations that Islamabad has repeatedly rejected. According to security officials, the Afghan Taliban regime has been providing sanctuary, support and patronage to terrorist groups. They said documented evidence contradicted Kabul’s repeated denials and pointed to an entrenched terrorist network operating from Afghan soil. Also Read: 'Frivolous and baseless': Pakistan rejects Taliban claims of involvement in Nuristan violence Pakistan maintains that the terrorist nexus extended beyond the movement of terrorists across the border to their training, arming and operational support. Security officials estimate that up to 70 per cent of the Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists infiltrating Pakistan were of Afghan origin. They further claim that the Taliban regime had allowed leftover US and NATO weapons to reach terrorist groups, including Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan. In 2026 alone, terrorism emanating from Afghan soil claimed the lives of 1,327 Pakistanis and injured another 2,484, according to figures cited by Pakistani authorities. The United Nations estimated the strength of TTP in Afghanistan at around 6,000 to 6,500 terrorists. UN reporting had also documented more than 600 terrorist attacks against Pakistan during 2025, including attacks launched from Afghan territory. According to Pakistani security officials, the TTP had established training facilities in Afghanistan’s Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika provinces. The government has maintained that the issue was fundamentally one of Pakistan's national security and that continued attacks from Afghan soil cannot be addressed through denials alone. Pakistan says it expected the Taliban regime to fulfil its commitments by taking verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from its territory rather than defending or denying their presence.

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Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee gives nods to Christian Marriage Bill 2026

The Punjab Assembly's Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minorities Affairs on Wednesday unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing to repeal the century-old Christian Marriage Act 1872 and introduce a modern legal framework governing marriages among the Christian community. The bill was earlier presented in the Punjab Assembly on April 27, but drew widespread criticism from Christian religious leaders and legal experts, who argued that wider reforms covering divorce, annulment, inheritance, child custody, and separation were also needed, along with proper consultation with the Church during the drafting process. The meeting, chaired by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Raheela Khadim Hussain, evaluated the bill moved by MPA Philebos Christopher. Christopher told the committee that the proposed legislation was meant to consolidate and modernise the existing legal framework for Christian marriages, strengthen protection of consent and ensure greater legal clarity in matters relating to matrimonial law. He said a key proposal in the bill was to fix the minimum marriageable age at 18 years for both men and women in the Christian community. Read: Christian marriage bill faces opposition According to the MPA, the minimum age for a Christian marriage is 16 years for a boy and 13 years for a girl under the existing law. “The proposed law would also require both parties to a Christian marriage to identify as Christians,” he highlighted during the meeting. As per details outlined by the minority lawmaker, the bill proposes a formal procedure for marriage, including written notice before the marriage and a public announcement of the intended marriage. It further seeks to make the registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) mandatory. He lamented that registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and NADRA was not possible under the existing law. Under the proposed legislation that is now up for approval of the Punjab Assembly, marriages would be allowed to take place in all churches registered with the government of Punjab, according to Christian rites and procedures. It also proposes authorising religiously educated pastors of government-registered churches to solemnise Christian marriages. “Designated pastors or marriage registrars appointed by the government would also be empowered to conduct marriages,” Christopher explained further. “A Christian marriage would have to be solemnised in the presence of at least two witnesses, while a formal record of marriages would be maintained through marriage registers and prescribed forms.” He also emphasised that unlike the existing legal framework, the proposed law would impose no restriction on the day or time for holding a marriage ceremony.

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PM Shehbaz hails Beijing’s role in promoting global peace as Pakistan marks China’s National Day

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday hailed China's “extremely important” role in promoting global peace, stability and development and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with Beijing. Addressing a ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the prime minister said it was a pleasure for him to attend the National Day event and extended his “heartfelt congratulations” to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the people of China. He described the occasion as a day to pay tribute to the perseverance, unity and indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China, describing the enduring bilateral friendship as a bond built on mutual trust, unwavering support and deep affinity… pic.twitter.com/r9DnITtx0U — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 30, 2026 “China has an extremely important role in global peace, stability and development,” he said. Under the “far-sighted leadership” of President Xi, China had made unprecedented progress in human development, science, technology and innovation, the prime minister said. He said 2026 held “special significance” in the shared journey of Pakistan and China, as the two countries were celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. 2/2 The ambassador also highlighted the expansion of practical economic cooperation, saying bilateral trade reached $16.44 billion from January to July, up 13.4 percent year-on-year. He said bilateral agricultural trade stood at around $830 million during January-August, an… pic.twitter.com/LMniVk2A0y — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 30, 2026 “Our hearts are connected and beat together,” he said, adding that the friendship between the two countries had withstood every test of time, whether earthquakes, storms or floods. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said, was a manifestation of the two countries’ longstanding friendship and their shared commitment to a more prosperous and developed future for their people. “We are now entering the next phase of CPEC, CPEC 2.0,” he said. Read More: Can China help Pakistan? myth and reality The new phase would focus particularly on industrialisation, special economic zones, information technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, mining and minerals, he added. The prime minister described progress in the agriculture sector as “extremely welcome” and said the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates had completed their training in China. “Another group of 1,000 people is ready to go to China,” he said, describing the programme as a valuable investment in the capabilities and future of Pakistan’s youth. PM Shehbaz said Pakistan-China relations were a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy. Recalling his conversation with President Xi in May, he said that it had represented a strong reaffirmation of the countries’ longstanding friendship. “We are fully committed to implementing the important understandings reached between the leadership of the two countries,” he said. “A sincere friend living in a distant land makes a distant land close,” the prime minister said while quoting a Chinese saying, adding that the words best reflected the friendship and closeness between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong also addressed the ceremony, describing China and Pakistan as “all-weather strategic cooperative partners”. He said Pakistan was playing an increasingly important role internationally because of its principled position, broad global vision and high level of diplomatic insight. Pakistan had supported multilateralism and international cooperation and played an important role in safeguarding peace and security in the region and beyond, the ambassador said. Also Read: Pakistan, China agree on BJC framework He said PM Shehbaz had “firmly defended Pakistan’s national interests” during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Pakistan’s position on international and regional issues was presented at the UN General Assembly and appreciated by the international community, he added. “The remarkable journey of the past 75 years proves that China and Pakistan are friends who have stood by each other in times of joy and sorrow,” Jiang said. He said the two countries had always stood by each other like brothers. The ambassador said PM Shehbaz had always attached great importance to practical cooperation between China and Pakistan in various fields.

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Afridi threatens revolt to 'force change'

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has warned that the PTI will "rebel" if necessary to force a change in the federal government policies that are "harming the province". He has also warned the government against resorting to "any kind of adventurism" during the PTI's October 4 long march, claiming that such attempts will be counterproductive and harm the government. The CM expressed these views on Tuesday during the inauguration of new hybrid buses in Peshawar and a press conference. On Monday, some federal ministers publicly raised the possibility of federal intervention in K-P. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said consultations were under way on the "constitutional and legal option" of imposing Governors' Rule. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also said if constitutional conditions for such a step or an emergency were met, it could be implemented. K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi separately warned the provincial government against creating a situation that could force the Centre to impose Governors' Rule. Afridi, however, rejected the warnings and said he would not retreat from his position because of threats of Governors' Rule or an emergency. He also said PTI supporters could take to the streets at short notice if an attempt was made to remove him. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, he said decisions concerning the province could not be taken behind closed doors. He said those making such decisions would be brought to the table and policies would be changed, particularly those that he believed were contributing to bloodshed in K-P. "If needed, we will rebel," Afridi said, adding that he would not accept policies that caused further suffering to the K-P people. He also reiterated his call for the October 4 march, saying it would take place "come what may" and describing it as potentially the biggest long march in Pakistan's history. In a message to PTI workers posted on X, Afridi urged them to come out for the march at all costs. Addressing a press conference at the CM House, Afridi said the federal government had failed to demonstrate performance in any area and that even those who had brought the present government to power had realised that an incompetent government had been imposed on the people. Comparing the performance of the former PTI government at the Centre with that of the incumbent government, he said Pakistan's GDP growth rate had stood at 6.1% during Imran Khan's tenure but had fallen to 2.3% under the present government due to its incompetence. Afridi claimed that such a large number of people would come out on October 4 that the authorities would not be able to handle the situation. He warned that any attempt at an "adventure" would draw a public response. He said K-P was the only province where the government had come to power through the strength of the people and not on anyone's "crutches". He criticised television commentators whom he described as "cartoons", saying that they were telling the people that they were "insects". He said there was intense anger among the people of K-P and that the "cartoon network" was creating hatred among the public. "Two clowns and cartoons of the federal government have been placed on television with two objectives: to divert public attention from the October 4 Long March and to distract people from the government's corruption," he said. Afridi alleged that the PML-N was planning to create unrest in the country. He called upon the people to come unarmed on October 4 and exercise their right to peaceful protest. The CM said anyone found carrying an object capable of causing harm would be apprehended and handed over to the police. Such a person, he said, would not be considered part of their movement and would instead be associated with the PML-N or those who had brought them to power. "The October 4 long march will take place under all circumstances and will remain peaceful. The people will exercise their democratic right to peaceful protest and no provocation or act involving damage or harm will be permitted," he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister also expressed anger over a letter reportedly written by PTI provincial information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai seeking postponement of the October 4 march. According to sources, the letter caused displeasure among members of the parliamentary party. When Yousafzai attempted to explain his position, the meeting reportedly ended. Afridi said the letter had not reached him. He added that had it reached him, he would have torn it up and thrown it into the wastepaper basket.

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PM Shehbaz underscores Pakistan’s potential for high-yield foreign investment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan offered significant opportunities for high-yield, secure and mutually beneficial foreign investment as the government continued efforts to strengthen the economy during his address at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) headquarters in Paternoster Square. PM Shehbaz became the first Pakistani premier to open a trading session at the LSE, where he also formally inaugurated Pakistan’s $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond. “We have strengthened our macroeconomic indicators, which are very promising and augur very well for the future,” he said. The ceremony was attended by LSE Group Chief Executive Officer David Schwimmer, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatisation Mohammad Ali, Pakistan High Commissioner Tipu Usman, members of the Pakistani delegation and British officials. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, today, became the first prime minister from Pakistan to open the London Stock Exchange trading session and formally inaugurated Pakistan’s landmark US$3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond. During his address at the LSE headquarters in… pic.twitter.com/yvm6hdA2Uh — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The premier said the $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond reflected the efforts undertaken by the finance ministry and other government institutions to stabilise the economy. He attributed the transaction to structural reforms, digitalisation of the economy and measures aimed at putting the country’s finances back on track. The issuance, described as Pakistan’s largest international bond transaction, attracted nearly $6 billion in global investor demand — almost twice the amount raised — from a geographically diverse institutional investor base. Read: Pakistan, IMF formally begin talks on EFF, climate programme reviews The transaction is the first issuance under Pakistan’s renewed Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) Programme and follows the country’s inaugural Panda Bond and successive sovereign credit-rating upgrades. It forms part of the government’s debt-management strategy aimed at diversifying funding sources, extending maturities and reducing refinancing risks. Referring to the government’s privatisation programme, PM Shehbaz cited Pakistan International Airlines and First Women Bank and said the government was moving towards divesting several other state-owned enterprises. Mr. David Schwimmer, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, presenting a memento commemorating Pakistan’s US$ 3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond listing at the London Stock Exchange to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, today. pic.twitter.com/ksxlHbD3zz — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 He said such entities should be operated by the private sector and identified privatisation as an area where Pakistan and the United Kingdom could enhance cooperation. The premier also referred to the Gulf crisis and its impact on emerging economies, saying Pakistan’s economic trajectory could have been stronger had the crisis not erupted. “Like other emerging economies, we are negotiating this challenge while also playing an important role as a peacemaker, mediating between the United States and Iran. I hope that we will continue in this direction,” he said. Read more: Trump claims Iran war 'one of the most important things we've done' PM Shehbaz said changing geopolitical conditions had prompted investors to reassess the relative safety of different markets, adding that Pakistan needed to draw lessons from the evolving situation. Addressing Schwimmer, the prime minister sought the LSE chief executive’s guidance on increasing Pakistan’s engagement with international financial markets beyond sovereign borrowing and attracting greater investment into the country. Shehbaz said opening the LSE session was a significant moment for Pakistan and represented a step towards rebuilding the country’s relationship with the London Stock Exchange. He also invited Schwimmer to visit Pakistan. The prime minister also praised Aurangzeb, other economic ministers, government secretaries and officials for their role in efforts to strengthen the economy. PM Shehbaz meets global finance giants in London Later, PM Shehbaz met with senior executives of Barclays, JP Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co in London, where he sought a greater role for global banks in Pakistan’s financial sector and urged leading financial institutions to invest in the country during a series of meetings, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “The engagements underscored growing international financial sector interest in Pakistan’s economic reform trajectory and improving investment climate,” the statement said. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a series of meetings today with senior executives from leading global financial institutions — Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co — during his visit to the United Kingdom. The engagements underscored growing… pic.twitter.com/ttTmbB67X3 — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The prime minister met Mohammad Kamal Syed, Head of Private Bank and Wealth Management UK at Barclays, and welcomed the bank’s interest in Pakistan, according to the statement. He briefed Syed on the government’s macroeconomic stabilisation measures and encouraged Barclays to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s financial sector, it added. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets a delegation of Barclays in London, today. pic.twitter.com/0QhqpKDoWC — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 PM Shehbaz also met a high-level JP Morgan delegation led by Matthieu Wiltz, Co-CEO for EMEA, where they discussed deepening the partnership across capital markets, trade finance and investment banking, the statement said. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the delegation of J P Morgan headed by co-CEO of EMEA, Mr. Mathieu Wiltz, in London. pic.twitter.com/Oz2mI2SZUi — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The prime minister invited the firm to expand its footprint in Pakistan. At the same time, the delegation reaffirmed its interest in sovereign debt capital markets and corporate banking opportunities, according to the statement. The premier also met a group of senior Citi officials led by David Livingstone, Chief Client Officer. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the senior leadership of Citi group in London, today. pic.twitter.com/Sfkwf4Rkrt — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 According to the statement, Shehbaz commended the bank’s long-standing presence in Pakistan and encouraged an expansion of its corporate and institutional banking services in the country. In his meeting with a BlackRock delegation comprising Gordon Fraser and Sam Vecht, Co-Heads of Emerging Markets and Frontiers, and Emily Fletcher, Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, the prime minister invited increased allocations to Pakistani equities and fixed income within the firm’s frontier markets strategy, the statement said. Both sides also emphasised the importance of sustained policy consistency in building investor confidence, it added. During his meeting with Rothschild & Co, represented by Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geostrategic Advisory, and Majid Ishaq, Head of UK Investment Banking, discussions centred on Pakistan’s geo-economic priorities and potential advisory collaboration on capital markets and investment strategy, according to the statement. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met delegation of Rothschild & Co. headed by Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geostrategic Advisory in London, today. pic.twitter.com/k744BxlnhG — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 “Across all engagements, the visiting executives expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic reform momentum and reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to deepening engagement with the country’s financial sector,” the statement said. The meetings “reflect the growing traction” of Pakistan’s economic reform programme among leading global financial institutions and mark a significant step in the government’s broader effort to strengthen international investor confidence and attract sustained capital flows into the country, it added.

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Rare dolphin rescued from Chenab River

A rare river dolphin was caught in a fishing net in the Chenab River but was safely rescued and released back into the water by fishermen. The incident was recorded on a mobile phone by a passer-by, and the video of the rescue later went viral on social media. According to sources, fishermen were fishing as usual when the dolphin became entangled in their net. After noticing the animal, they carefully removed it from the net and released it back into the river. Sources said the dolphin weighed more than four maunds and was around six feet long. The video shows fishermen freeing the dolphin from the net before releasing it into the river. Experts said river dolphins were rare aquatic animals and that their hunting was prohibited. The fishermen's decision to release the dolphin rather than harm or retain it was widely appreciated. They called for more effective awareness and monitoring measures by the relevant authorities to protect rare aquatic species in the country's rivers.

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Tirah valley IDPs’ return to begin from October 10

Khyber Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shahid Ali announced during a grand jirga in Tirah Maidan on Monday that the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tirah Valley would formally begin on October 10. Thousands of families displaced from Tirah Valley in Khyber district continue to endure severe hardships, with slow disbursement of financial assistance and uncertainty surrounding their return to their native areas compounding their difficulties. DC Shahid Ali visited Tirah Maidan and participated in a grand jirga attended by a 24-member committee, local elders and security forces. Discussions focused on the return of IDPs, rehabilitation, provision of basic facilities and the resettlement of Bagh Bazaar. Addressing the jirga, DC Ali said the return process would start on October 10 and that the administration and relevant departments would address problems arising during the process. He clarified that the return was not limited to transporting people back to their ancestral areas, but restoration of basic needs and facilities also remained a priority. Read: Tirah families await return after 255 days The jirga was attended by the head of the 24-member committee, Maulana Hazrat Khan, Zahir Shah, Kamaluddin and other local elders, along with district administration officials. Participants placed issues related to the return process, the current situation in the area and the restoration of basic facilities before the deputy commissioner. Elders demanded the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, health and education facilities, water supply, electricity, communication systems and other essential services so that returning families did not face shortages of necessities. Detailed discussions were also held on administrative measures for a dignified, organised and phased return of the IDPs and on the plan of action. DC Ali listened to the concerns raised by the elders and the committee and directed relevant officers to take practical steps to resolve public problems. Bara Assistant Commissioner (AC) Talha Rafiq, Tirah Maidan AC Muhammad Anwar, Tirah Maidan Tehsildar Shabab, Bara Tehsildar Daud Afridi and other officials accompanied the deputy commissioner. Former federal minister Hamidullah Jan Afridi welcomed the development, saying “better late than never”, but stressed that mere return was not enough. He urged the authorities to fulfil all promises made to the affected families at the time of their displacement and clear outstanding dues. “The people of Tirah have endured hardships for a long time. Along with their return, peace and security in the valley, reconstruction of homes, roads and basic infrastructure must also be ensured,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. Read More: Tirah victims demand return, compensation DC Ali said steps would be taken in collaboration with relevant departments to restore public facilities and advance development activities in Tirah Maidan. Problems would be resolved phase-wise with the cooperation of local elders, the 24-member committee and concerned institutions. During the visit, DC Ali also inspected Bagh centre and met local elders who briefed him on problems and public needs in Bagh Bazaar and other areas. He assured them that the issues would be raised at relevant forums and that he would make every effort at his level for their resolution. Spokesman for the Tirah Affectees Movement, Sohbat Khan Afridi, said a jirga without practical steps was meaningless and that no concrete progress had so far been made on resolving the IDPs’ problems. He demanded that an official schedule for the return be issued immediately so that the affected families receive clear information about the procedure, dates and administrative arrangements. Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam leader Izzatullah Hamkhayal said the IDPs of Tirah Valley had been suffering for a long time and their return was inevitable. He urged relevant institutions to play a priority role in establishing and maintaining sustainable peace in Tirah Maidan, and said all promises made to the affected people should be fulfilled and outstanding dues cleared before October 10. He added that the government must ensure the provision of basic facilities, infrastructure and other necessities after the return so that the families do not face difficulties again. Following the announcement of the return, the attention of the IDPs and local elders has now focused on the formal schedule, financial payments, reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, provision of basic facilities and practical steps for lasting peace in the area.

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