Protest rally: Displaced families complain of neglect

Hundreds of IDPs stage protest here against a reported delay in support from govt.

ABBOTABAD: Hundreds of internally displaced persons staged a protest here on Friday against a reported delay in support from the government. They claimed that more than 1,000 families — who moved to Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra — have been neglected in relief efforts.Speakers at the protest, which ended at the Abbottabad Press Club, complained of delays in the distribution of rations and other assistance. One speaker, Shahid, said many families lacked household items or medicines, reiterating that the government must honour its pledge to provide for the IDPs.  Abbottabad DC Matiullah Khan told the media that relief efforts were in full swing, stressing that IDPs must register themselves at designated points in order to be entitled to support. He said unregistered IDPs would not be provided with relief goods or allowed to stay and would face legal action.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2014.