K-P govt to extend all possible help for IDP repatriation

IRC complains that issuance of NoCs by the different authorities are creating hurdles in their relief programme.

PESHAWAR: As the second phase of repatriation of internally displaced people (IDPs) to Tirah Valley began on Wednesday, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Mission Country Director Zeljko Jack Toncic called on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Wednesday to brief him on IDPs and Afghan refugees related welfare programme in the province and to discuss issues in carrying out their tasks.

The Country Director IRC told the chief minister that the mission is busy in looking after displaced persons living in different tent villages including Afghan Refugees and Jalozai IDPs Camp and interested in further expansion of the relief programme.  However, he said that the issuance of No objection Certificates (NoCs) by the different authorities of the federal and provincial home departments are creating hurdles in it.

The chief minister while appreciating the efforts of the mission said the provision of better residential facilities, food, education and water & sanitation facilities are inevitable for the displaced people. In past, he said no proper attention was paid to it, which multiplied the miseries of both Afghan and internal displaced persons. However, he said they wanted indiscriminate service of these affected people without caring for language, colour, race, religion and nationality.

The chief minister said that the provincial is ready to extend full cooperation to international agencies in this regard as we want the provision of such facilities, which are usual right of the people. He said that they are justified in having expectations from all international relief agencies including United Nations to give equal importance to the welfare of all people.

He directed the concerned authorities for convening of a joint meeting with the mission for the fulfillment of the actual requirements and problems faced by IDPs and evolving of a comprehensive strategy in this regard.

The mission thanks the provincial government for taking deep interest in the activities of the organisation and assurance of cooperation by the chief minister and explained that such sincere cooperation is spreading positive message in world community.

On this occasion, Advisor to CM on Economic Affairs, Rafaqatullah Babar, Secretary Home, Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Mohammad Ashfaq Khan and concerned authorities of PDMA, Rescue4 1122 were also present

Over 7,700 families were expected to return from Jurma Kohat and Sadda Durrani Camps to their native areas in Tirah Valley during phase two of repatriation.