Making promises: ‘Repatriation of Tirah IDPs a matter of days’

Governor Shaukatullah Khan discusses development of Khyber Agency, trade routes at a jirga in Jamrud.

The repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDP) from Tirah Valley, Khyber Agency is now a mere matter of days, K-P Governor Shaukatullah Khan told a jirga of tribal elders in Jamrud, Khyber Agency.

“We are trying our best that the IDPs can observe Ramazan in their own homes,” he said according to a press release issued on Wednesday. The extent of damage to their houses will continue to be surveyed. The governor promised no effort would be spared to compensate the IDPs with cash as soon as possible, in addition to facilitating their move and the provision of relief goods.

The jirga was held at the hujra of MNA Haji Shah Jee Gul on Wednesday. MNAs Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Haji Bilalur Rehman and Nasir Khan Afridi were also present as well as Political Agent Mutahir Zeb. This was Shaukatullah Khan’s second visit to the agency since assuming governorship.

Governor Shaukatullah pointed out the tribes of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) are peace loving, however, “today, we truly are faced with the challenge to prove it practically.”

“A number of big projects in almost every sector of life are in the offing – these will help materialise the tribal people’s aspirations of socio-economic wellbeing,” said Shaukatullah.

“Launching the annual development programme (2013-14) will provide many avenues in making this possible.”

Responding to the points raised by Gul and tribal elder Malik Faizullah Khan Kukikhel, the governor said he was pleased with their keen interest in improving educational and healthcare facilities. Their demand to improve these systems is a common desire held by all the tribes in Fata, noted Shaukatullah.



Such demands are clear proof the tribesmen want to ensure a better future for coming generations and want lasting peace, he added.

Trade routes, administrative affairs

During his talk, the governor touched on the reconstruction of the Jamrud-Torkham Highway. The project entails improving and expanding the route. The government is very conscious of the importance of this international route, remarked Shaukatullah. The on-going work takes into account the long term promotion of trade with other countries and the requirements of locals vis-à-vis the highway.

The governor emphasised concrete measures had been undertaken to ensure the presence of teachers, doctors and other officials in the agency. It would be in the interest of the tribesmen to avoid getting involved in administrative affairs and to allow the administrative machinery to handle matters, he observed.

He added serious efforts were afoot to minimise load-shedding in Fata.

At the jirga, Gul and Kukikhel tribesmen requested efforts to repatriate IDPs be expedited. They also asked for the provision of potable water in the area to help launching the long-awaited Shalman Water Supply Scheme.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2013.