Up in arm: Tribespeople protest over government’s inaction in Bannu

Repatriating Afghans face hardships; government should intervene

BANNU: Tribespeople from various  areas of North Waziristan held a protest in Bannu on Friday to draw attention towards the plight of IDPs who have been repatriated.

The protesters gathered outside Bannu Press Club. They were addressed by tribal elders and traders.

They said most tribespeople repatriating from North Waziristan are facing a diverse menu of problems and hardships. According to the protesters, many of them do not have access to drinking water and are not allowed to perform any economic and agriculture activities.

The tribal elders said under Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) tribespeople have been forced to live in a deplorable state. They need to obtain permits to visit each other.

According to the protesters, the political authorities have imposed huge charges on the transportation of sacrificial animals. “Due to the displacement and military action, livestock in North Waziristan has diminished considerably,” he said. “As a result, repatriating Afghan nationals are being compelled to take their sacrificial animals along while they return to Afghanistan.”

They called upon the officials in charge of both civil and military administration to take notice of these injustices otherwise the protesters would start agitation not only in North Waziristan and Bannu but also in Peshawar and Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2016.