Bahria Town starts relief operation for IDPs

ISLAMABAD: Bahria Town on Saturday started relief operation for people, internally displaced due to ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation against militants in North Waziristan.

Three mobile health units and two trucks carrying wheat, ghee, sugar and other groceries have been sent to North Waziristan by Bahria Town.

Head of relief operation Brigadier (R) Tahir Butt said that Bahria Town will establish camps in Bannu for carrying relief operation.

“Initially five trucks full with aid supplies and three mobile hospitals will be sent for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Iftari will be provided to IDPs while two times meal will be given after Ramazan”, said Tahir Butt. He vowed that Bahria Town will continue relief operation till the return of IDPs to their home.

Tahir Butt said that relief activities were being started after taking no objection certificate (NoC) from Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Govt to meet all requirements of IDPs, says Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: In order to avoid donors’ fatigue, Pakistan will not make any formal request to multilateral or bilateral donors for seeking financial assistance to help over half a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the wake of ongoing military operation in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).

Instead of seeking donors’ assistance, the government has decided to meet all requirements of IDPs through its own domestic resources.“Without seeking formal request to the donors, assistance of the multilateral and bilateral creditors and friends will be welcomed,” added the sources.

Pakistan’s military has launched operation against Taliban and their supporters to flush them out from NWA region that caused displacement of over half a million IDPs in Bannu area.“The government has taken the decision in principle that it will meet all requirements of IDPs from its own resources and formal request to donors’ assistance will not be sought. We have so far provided over Rs 2 billion and will also meet upcoming requirements.

The government has deducted one day salary of all public sector employees getting salary from federal budget that generated more than Rs 350 million,” official sources confirmed to The News here on Monday.

When contacted to Federal Minister for Finance and Revenues, Ishaq Dar confirmed to The News on Monday that the government was meeting all requirements would continue it for all IDPs in future as well.

However, high-ups in Finance Ministry told this scribe that the government so far released over Rs 2 billion for IDPs and more resources would be earmarked to meet their requirements.“We have also met financial requirements of Armed Forces to conduct this operation and will also meet the financial requirements for IDPs,” said the official.

So far 572,529 people, belonging to 44,633 families have been registered as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which started on June 15th. The UAE Government has released an assistance of $ 20.5 million for the IDPs on humanitarian grounds, while US has extended an assistance of $ 31 million. Finance Ministry has released Rs. 2 billion so far for providing relief to the IDPs. Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved 60,000 tons of wheat costing Rs. 2.8 billion for distribution among the IDPs.

When inquired why the government was not making formal request through flash appeal of UN for IDPs assistance, the sources said that the government knew about donors’ fatigue keeping in view experience obtained by Islamabad as result of floods in 2010 and 2011.“This decision has been taken at the top level to avoid seeking official help from the donors but if someone comes forward they will be welcomed,” concluded the sources.

Zarb-e-Azb: North Waziristan IDPs persistently face difficulties

BANNU: The internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan who left their houses due to the on-going military operation against the terrorists are constantly facing difficulties, Geo News reported on Monday.

A large number of displaces families are still devoid of ration provided by the government while the month of Ramzan is another test of their patience. Thousands of IDPs reach the Sports Complex in Bannu to receive the daily supplies but they remain empty handed as they had not been provided with the ration card that could entitle them to receive the provisions.

Expressing their disappointment with the prevalent situation, the displaced families told that they are being treated unjustly.

It may be mentioned that the IDPs are fasting for the second day today and according to the affected families, they broke their fast with water on the first day as they did not have anything to eat.

The displaced persons also staged a protest against the administration during which they observed a sit-in at Bannu-Kohat road and blocked the traffic for one hour.

Bilour seeks setting up of more camps for IDPs

PESHAWAR: Demanding establishment of more relief camps, former federal minister and senior leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Sunday renewed call for properly handling the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan and providing them maximum facilities.

“The IDPs from Waziristan have been offering sacrifices for the greater cause of the country and nation and they should be extended wholehearted support,” he told a press conference. Ghulam Bilour, who is member of the National Assembly from Peshawar, said Pakhtuns were being killed in the name of religion. “On whose hand should I seek the blood of my sons, brothers and sisters - the United States, the rulers of my country, religious parties or jihadi organisations?” he posed a question.

Pakhtuns have been targeted since 1979 and their sufferings were long drawn, he added. He said the Pakhtuns were being pitted against each other through a conspiracy. “For God’s sake, they should not be killed anymore and there should be an end to this massacre,” he added.

He also appealed to the Ulema to help stop killing of innocent people in the name of religion. He said that at least 20 camps should be established for the IDPs in Bannu, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and Peshawar and they should be provided maximum facilities.

“The Sindh and Punjab governments and people should host the IDPs and extend them full support as they have been rendering sacrifices for the national cause. They left their homes and scenic valleys for the restoration of peace in the country, not for personal gain,” the ANP leader stressed.

To a question, he recalled that the ANP-led provincial government had made all arrangements for the IDPs from Malakand division.Ghulam Bilour said his party always stood for democracy and did not support dictators. However, he said he and his party was worried about the bad conditions of IDPs and killing and displacement of Pakhtuns.

The ANP leader said it was right time to bring an end to the sufferings of people from this part of the world and let them pass peaceful life. To a question about the issue of moon-sighting, he said he kept fast because of love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and followed the people of his city Madina where people were fasting.

“I didn’t follow Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai or any other religious leader’s announcement,” he said, adding that the moon-sighting issue should be resolved with consensus and it should not be made a matter of ego.

New houses to be built on IDPs return: PM

 

BANNU: Pledging full support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan on Friday, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that new houses would be constructed on the return of the IDPs.
Addressing the IDPs in the Bakkakhel area in Frontier Region, he said, if required, billions would be spent for the rehabilitation of the NWA’s displaced persons. He said the entire nation stood by them. “The whole nation appreciates your sacrifice.to leave one’s abode in this scorching heat. The government is striving hard to provide you basic facilities,” Nawaz Sharif said.

The camp is sparsely populated as the displaced people have avoided staying there due to its unsuitable location and inadequate facilities.The prime minister said the government would reconstruct the houses of the IDPs after the completion of the military operation.

He said that the government had decided to increase the monthly cash compensation of the IDPs from Rs12 000 to Rs20 000 a month including Rs3 000 for the monthly house rent and Rs5,000 for the non-food items. Therefore, the IDPs would be given Rs40,000 as cash compensation for the month of Ramazan which included Rs20 000 Ramazan package.

“We will utilise all available resources to facilitate you,” he said.The prime minister told the IDPs that he was aware of their difficulties and sentiments because leaving native homes was not an easy task. He said that he was confident that this problem would be resolved soon and the IDPs would return to their homes with honour and dignity.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that his government was well aware of the problems of dislocated people of NWA and reaffirmed the government commitment to utilise all the available resources for provision of speedy assistance and rehabilitation and ensure their early resettlement in their houses.

The prime minister said that there was no dearth of resources and the government would ensure provision of assistance, rehabilitation and relief and early settlement process. The prime minister said the IDPs were passing through difficult time and their sacrifices would not go waste. He hoped that their hard period in this harsh weather would come to an end soon.

The prime minister said that the government was working day and night to provide all the basic amenities of life to dislocated people to lessen their difficulties. The government and Army, he said, were working together day and night with the prime objective to provide comforts and relief to their tribal brethren. “This is not a kindness to them but we are fulfilling our duties,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif said the IDPs would be helped in reconstruction phase once the situation had improved in NWA. He said that the government would repair and improve the basic infrastructure including roads, health, clean drinking water facilities, schools and hospitals etc once law and order situation improved in the area. Nawaz Sharif said rebuilding and reconstruction phase in North Waziristan would not only generate employment opportunities for tribal people but would open up areas for trade and investment. It would alleviate poverty and bring progress and prosperity. He said the entire nation was united against the menace of terrorism and militancy and time was not far when complete peace would return to the agency.

Nawaz Sharif said that the government was left with no option but to launch massive military operation after failure of peace talks to establish its writ and protect the lives and properties of the people.The prime minister said that he held a detailed meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governor and chief minister besides Army officials to review arrangements for the IDPs. He prayed to Allah Almighty to help the government in its efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism to bring peace to North Waziristan.

He said peace was vital for progress and development of Pakistan. With prayers of IDPs, he said, peace would soon prevail in North Waziristan Agency. He said effective arrangements had been made for the provision of fodder and shelter to livestock brought by the IDPs. He lauded Pakistan Army and other departments for extending full support to IDPs. In addition to medicines, he said, doctors and paramedics had arrived in sufficient number to treat and vaccinate their brethrens. Later, the prime minister distributed relief goods and food packages among the IDPs and assured full support in future. He also shook hand with the IDPs on the occasion and inquired about their well being.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif publicly praised Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and highlighted the role of his troops in offering sacrifices in the North Waziristan operation. Lauding the efforts of the Pakistan Army, Nawaz Sharif said the soldiers were playing a crucial role in facilitating the displaced people.

Earlier, General Raheel Sharif, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani and other senior military and civil officers received the prime minister. He was given a briefing by the military officials about the services being offered to the IDPs.

Local journalists in Bannu weren’t allowed to cover the visit of the prime minister.The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Safron Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan, Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nasir Khan Durrani and Bannu Commissioner Syed Mohsin Shah, who is the focal person for the IDPs, were also present on the occasion.

PTI leader asks KP govt to increase aid for IDPS

BANNU: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Frontier Region Bannu, president Malik Mavez Khan and others said on Sunday that allocation of only Rs350 million from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was a joke with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan.
Speaking at a press conference, they said Senior Minister Sirajul Haq should have allocated 30,000 per family for the IDPs instead of Rs3, 000. PTI members of provincial assembly (MPAs) and ministers should have come to Bannu to serve the IDPs.

The people of Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan districts have vacated their residences and hujras and accommodated IDPs but the government failed to provide them financial and other facilities, they added.

They said the security forces should facilitate the IDPs at checkposts. People of various areas in Bannu district established camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and provided them support including portable water and food items.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, Malik Amir Feroz Khan Wazir said that Mamandkhel tribe would provide assistance to the IDPs moving from North Waziristan Agency (NWA). Mamondkhel tribe had established camp for the IDPs at Azadmandi, he added.

“The people should generously cooperate with their brothers, who are in miserable condition and lacking water and food items as they had been forced to flee the area due to military operation,” he said, adding that people should vacate their hujras for IDPs.

Malik Ghulam Khan Wazir of Madakhel tribe and others asked the government to take measures for the rehabilitation of the IDPs on emergency basis. Camps should be set up in government schools in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Karak districts to accommodate the IDPs. The camps should be established near Bannu City as those in the remote areas lacked water, electricity and other facilities, he added.