Orakzai residents celebrate Eid after nine years

HANGU: The displaced population of Orakzai Agency will celebrate Eidul Fitr in their native areas after nine years, but in houses that stand have been damaged by military operation.

“I have lived in shelter for nine years,” a resident of the agency told The Express Tribune. “Even when I’m back now, I have to live in a damaged house – I’m not happy because our house was a huge one.”

The repatriated families have appealed to the government and the relevant authorities provide Eid packages to them.

Reiterating the locals’ views, Muttahida Qabail Party Vice Chairperson Malik Habib Noor Orakzai said the displaced people of Orakzai went through the most challenging time by spending nine years in shelter. He added they left behind all their belongings and property, but now is the time that they should be compensated by being provided with incentives and special packages, just like the displaced people of Waziristan are.

He lashed out at the government and political administration for neglecting the people of Orakzai.

Around 22,498 registered families of Orakzai Agency went back to their areas in April. They were residing in Kohat, Hangu and Peshawar districts.

Each displaced family was given Rs10,000 as transport fare and Rs25,000 for food by the FATA Development Authority.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.