Honouring the heroes: Governor Shaukatullah visits Tirah, surveys destruction
Pays tribute to soldiers who cleared the valley of militants.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shaukatullah Khan with Pakistan Army soldiers during his visit to Maidan, Tirah. PHOTO: INP
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Shaukatullah Khan visited Tirah Valley on Wednesday after nearly 18,000 internally displaced families were repatriated to the valley which was recently cleared of militants by the Pakistan Army.
“We are here to personally witness the immense destruction caused to the assets of tribesmen, and to explore possibilities for meeting the immediate needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs),” said the governor while addressing soldiers and tribal elders at Bagh Markaz in Maidan, the central point of the valley.
Appreciating the army for its efforts in the region, Shaukatullah said: “The army’s role in the restoration of peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has added another golden chapter in the shared history of the Pakistan Army and the tribes of Fata.
We are proud of the selfless services and sacrifices of our ghazis who have enabled us to revive normal life in this remote but important valley.”
After being briefed on rehabilitation in Tirah, Governor Shaukatullah declared Rs160 million had been approved as an emergency assistance fund to initiate the process, out of which Rs100 million was meant to facilitate IDPs in meeting their immediate needs. Rs60 million will be spent on the establishment of schools and community medical centres, as well as improving road links.
“This is a meagre amount against the sheer scale of the challenging demands we need to meet, however, we are in the process of generating sufficient resources to help those who have suffered because of militancy,” he said.
Accompanied by MNAs from Khyber Agency Haji Shahji Gul Afridi and Nasir Khan Afridi, FATA Additional Chief Secretary Arbab Muhammad Arif and Khyber Agency Political Agent Mutahir Zeb, the governor took an aerial survey of the destruction caused to houses and markets due to factional fights in the wake of the militant insurgency in Tirah.
Following this, Governor Shaukatullah met shopkeepers and residents and also visited Muslim Public School, a primary school operating in tents.
Moreover, Governor Shaukatullah assured tribal elders a tehsildar along with his staff will be stationed at Bagh Markaz to facilitate soldiers and IDPs in the rehabilitation process and to carry out development activities.
Haji Naseeb Gul, an elder, later presented the traditional gift of ‘Lungi Kulah’ to the governor.
Tirah valley fell to militants in March, forcing thousands of families to move out of the area and take refuge at various camps across the province.
In May, security forces launched a 22-day offensive against the insurgents and managed to clear 90% of the area of militants. Government writ was finally established in the area in September.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th,2013.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Shaukatullah Khan visited Tirah Valley on Wednesday after nearly 18,000 internally displaced families were repatriated to the valley which was recently cleared of militants by the Pakistan Army.
“We are here to personally witness the immense destruction caused to the assets of tribesmen, and to explore possibilities for meeting the immediate needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs),” said the governor while addressing soldiers and tribal elders at Bagh Markaz in Maidan, the central point of the valley.
Appreciating the army for its efforts in the region, Shaukatullah said: “The army’s role in the restoration of peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has added another golden chapter in the shared history of the Pakistan Army and the tribes of Fata.
We are proud of the selfless services and sacrifices of our ghazis who have enabled us to revive normal life in this remote but important valley.”
After being briefed on rehabilitation in Tirah, Governor Shaukatullah declared Rs160 million had been approved as an emergency assistance fund to initiate the process, out of which Rs100 million was meant to facilitate IDPs in meeting their immediate needs. Rs60 million will be spent on the establishment of schools and community medical centres, as well as improving road links.
“This is a meagre amount against the sheer scale of the challenging demands we need to meet, however, we are in the process of generating sufficient resources to help those who have suffered because of militancy,” he said.
Accompanied by MNAs from Khyber Agency Haji Shahji Gul Afridi and Nasir Khan Afridi, FATA Additional Chief Secretary Arbab Muhammad Arif and Khyber Agency Political Agent Mutahir Zeb, the governor took an aerial survey of the destruction caused to houses and markets due to factional fights in the wake of the militant insurgency in Tirah.
Following this, Governor Shaukatullah met shopkeepers and residents and also visited Muslim Public School, a primary school operating in tents.
Moreover, Governor Shaukatullah assured tribal elders a tehsildar along with his staff will be stationed at Bagh Markaz to facilitate soldiers and IDPs in the rehabilitation process and to carry out development activities.
Haji Naseeb Gul, an elder, later presented the traditional gift of ‘Lungi Kulah’ to the governor.
Tirah valley fell to militants in March, forcing thousands of families to move out of the area and take refuge at various camps across the province.
In May, security forces launched a 22-day offensive against the insurgents and managed to clear 90% of the area of militants. Government writ was finally established in the area in September.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th,2013.