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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