Homecoming: At least 233 families return to North Waziristan

Separately, MNA says Orakzai tribesmen can decide to be part of K-P.

BANNU/HANGU: Another 233 displaced families returned to their native villages in North Waziristan Agency on Monday. The repatriation was conducted under the watchful eye of security officials who cleared the areas of militants.

Meanwhile, a jirga of 18 tribes of Orakzai Agency was held in Hangu on Monday to discuss the repatriation of the displaced tribespeople. A large number of tribal elders participated in the jirga headed by MNA Dr Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal.

Talking on the occasion, Jamal said phase-wise repatriation to Orakzai Agency will begin on Tuesday (today). “Government will compensate all those who incurred losses due to militancy.” Every displaced person will be given Rs10,000 in terms of transportation and Rs25,000 as relief fund.

He said it is the prerogative of the tribespeople whether they want to join Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa or want a separate province for themselves. The MNA added a committee will be made to obtain the recommendations from the 18 Orakzai tribes.

Elders present there said the government should prioritise their repatriation and rehabilitation. They demanded the rehabilitation of Orakzai Agency’s damaged infrastructure and said that decisions about the future of the tribal areas should be taken after consulting all stakeholders.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2015.