- Says Pakistan Army has cleansed tribal region from terrorists, made situation favourable for return of tribal people to their hometowns
- PM announces transport allowance and cash grant for affectees, says govt would also provide them resources to reconstruct their homes
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that the government and the army had fulfilled their promise to the affectees of the military operation being carried out in the North Waziristan tribal region.
Flanked by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, the premier was addressing a press conference in Mirali town of North Waziristan. “It is a joyous occasion for the displaced persons, I am happy to see the return of the temporarily displaced,” the premier said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Mehtab Ahmed Abbasi, Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch and Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Marvi Memon were also present on the occasion.
Sharif said that the army had looked after the welfare of the displaced persons and had played an exemplary role in cleansing Waziristan of terrorists. “Peace has been established in North Waziristan and the Pakistan Army deserves praise for its sacrifices made in this regard. The military played the main role in the rehabilitation of displaced persons and the situation in region has been made favourable,” he said.
Lauding the military’s efforts in bringing peace to the region, the premier also mentioned the deaths of five military personnel, including an officer, in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency on Thursday.
Premier Sharif said those who had to leave their homes exhibited patience and courage and would now be able to live in their homes in peace.
“We will soon meet you in your homes to where you are returning. The development of the tribal areas at a fast pace and the establishment of peace there is important for us,” he said.
The prime minister announced that the displaced would be provided with a transport allowance and cash grant on their return. He said that the government would also provide the operation’s affectees with resources to reconstruct their homes.
Prizes and aid was also distributed among the returning displaced.
After the launch of the Zarb-i-Azb military operation against local and foreign terrorists, 101,788 families had left North Waziristan and 86,107 had shifted from Khyber Agency last year.