Tirah IDPs face delays, deepening distress

Aid bottlenecks, security fears stall return of displaced families

KHYBER:

Thousands of families displaced from Tirah Valley in Khyber District continue to endure severe hardships, with slow disbursement of financial assistance and uncertainty surrounding their return to their native areas compounding their difficulties.

The affected families, along with local tribal elders, traders, and protest leaders, have expressed serious concerns over the government's handling of the crisis and demanded immediate and effective steps to address their grievances.

Kamaluddin Afridi, chairman of the 24-member Tirah Valley Affected Persons Committee, said the displaced people are currently living in miserable conditions as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He acknowledged that victims are facing multiple problems in receiving aid, but the committee is making every possible effort to resolve these issues at the earliest.

Kamaluddin Afridi added that the committee is maintaining continuous coordination with the district administration and holding jirgas to resolve the issues.

He indicated that a major jirga regarding the return of Tirah Valley IDPs will be convened soon, in which important decisions are expected.

Meanwhile, according to the Khyber District Administration, registration of nearly 34,000 displaced families from Tirah Valley has been completed.

Out of these, 15,000 families have been verified, while 14,200 families have already received Rs240,000 each. The remaining approximately 800 families will be paid shortly.

District officials said that to make the verification process more transparent, the earlier reliance on polio data has been supplemented with certification by local tribal elders.

Now, confirmation from four credible elders of the concerned tribe is mandatory for every family's registration, after which aid is disbursed either through smart cards or cheques.

On the other hand, Sohbat Khan Afridi, spokesman for the Tirah Affected Movement, said the protest sit-in outside Bara Press Club has entered its 65th day. He vowed that the demonstration will continue until all demands of the affected people are accepted.

He complained that no senior government or political figure has held formal talks with the protesters so far, although some local politicians have expressed sympathy.

Detailing the demands, Sohbat Khan Afridi called for making public the agreement signed with the 24-member committee during the evacuation.

He stressed that the displacement was not voluntary but forced by circumstances, therefore all promises made to the people must be fulfilled.

He demanded foolproof security for homes, markets, and properties, and strict legal action against anyone involved in looting or damaging them.