Journey Home: Repatriation of Sipah IDPs begin

PESHAWAR: Repatriation process of internally displaced persons to their native towns began on Tuesday as the first batch of families from the Sipah tribe has been sent back to Bara, Khyber Agency. The authorities earlier announced they will pay Rs25,000 to each family in addition to Rs10,000 as transportation charges. At least, 1,000 families will be sent back each day till completion of the repatriation process. Meanwhile, the political administration has reached an agreement with tribes that they will not allow terrorists to use their areas and would cooperate with government in counter-terrorism activities. Besides, an 80-person peace lashkar has also been formed to check militant activities in the area. Around 1,630 men and 1,445 women of the Sipah tribe were repatriated on Tuesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.