Bundle of joy: Azb Khan born in the midst of Zarb-e-Azb

Aziz hopes that little Azb will bring them much hope, good future, just like the operation he shares a name with.

KARACHI:

In one of the tents in the Bakakhel camp, Bannu, rested a healthy newborn boy, nestled tightly in a dupatta. Even though he is Aziz Khan’s tenth child, he is the first to be born in the shelter camp set up for internally displaced persons (IDPs) after the military launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan.

The proud father, 40-year-old Aziz Khan, is from Miramshah, the administrative headquarters of North Waziristan.

“He was born to my second wife, 18-year-old Bibi Zartora, on Saturday at 8:30am. After much deliberation, we have decided to name him Azb Khan – after the military operation,” he told The Express Tribune via phone from Bakakhel camp. “First, we were considering other names. But after some fellow camp dwellers suggested ‘Azb Khan’, we readily agreed to it.”

Azb is the name of one of the swords of Holy Prophet (PBUH). Literally, it means ‘sharp’ and ‘cutting’.

“The army provided my son and wife with all the medical facilities when he was born,” a joyous Aziz added. “We have no problems in the IDP camp and are living comfortably.”

Aziz hopes that little Azb will bring them much hope and a good future, just like the military operation he shares a name with.

Aziz, along with 15 family members, had arrived eight days ago at the Bakakhel camp. He worked as a watchman at an arms market in Miramshah. Then, soon after the military operation began, he, along with two wives, then eight children – six sons and two daughters – and brother’s family, left the town for the IDP camp.

The army has asked all innocent civilians to evacuate North Waziristan so that a ground offensive could begin against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other militant groups.

“We want peace in North Waziristan. We hope the army will restore peace and we will go back soon,” said Aziz. And newborn Azb Khan gives him one more reason to hope.


Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2014.