Security issues: Officials air concerns as 2,700 IDPs reach Punjab

Districts lack adequate screening measures, sources say.

LAHORE: The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) in 13 districts of Punjab has jumped from 1,500 to over 2,700 within the span of a little over a week. Even as an additional 108 families have reached the province since last week, the Punjab government and district administration have been accused of failing to adequately provide for the influx and there are security concerns as well as a risk of the polio virus spreading, sources told The Express Tribune.

Sources said intelligence and law enforcement agency officials mentioned security concerns during a meeting held last week. A member of the meeting said no proper screening or surveillance systems have been set up by police officials and the possibility of militants entering the province under the guise of IDPs cannot be ruled out.



Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said the government is ensuring anti polio vaccinations for all IDPs under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). He said a meeting of all Executive District Officers (EDO) Health from Punjab was called and they were directed to ensure vaccinations of all IDPs in their respective districts. He said all steps were being taken to provide healthcare and financial assistance to the IDPs.

Two displaced families, comprising 14 persons, made their way to Sheikhupura while 92 IDPs (six families) reached Rawalpindi, 90 IDPs (six families) reached Attock and 21 IDPs from a single family reached Jhelum.

According to data available with The Express Tribune, 731 IDPs (49 families) reached Chakwal, 319 (23 families) reached Sargodha, 295 IDPs (21 families) arrived in Khushab and five displaced persons from one family travelled to Faisalabad.

As many as 185 IDPs (13 families) headed for Mianwali, 174 (eight families) reached Bhakkar, 37 IDPs (two families) reached Muzaffargarh, 558 IDPs (47 families) are in Layyah and 257 displaced persons from 21 families reached Multan. According to official sources, all the IDPs entered Punjab through Mianwali. The majority of IDPs are staying with relatives or in rented homes in different localities in the above mentioned districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2014.