Feeling left out: NWA’s displaced complain of govt inattention

Say they are being ignored as Centre and K-P remain locked in a tussle.

PESHAWAR:

People displaced from North Waziristan Agency residing in various camps in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have criticised the government for not paying adequate attention to their problems.

In addition to an uncertain future, internally displaced persons (IDP) say they face a shortage of food and water, but the provincial and federal governments remain busy politicking in the federal capital.

“We have been left in the lurch in the wake of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek sit-ins and the ensuing tussle between the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and the Centre,” Malik Ghulam, an elder of Dawar tribe told The Express Tribune over the telephone on Saturday.

Baran

Ghulam has been living at Baran IDP camp in Bakakhel, Bannu since Operation Zarb-e-Azb began in NWA in the middle of June.

“We condemn the sit-ins in Islamabad. Because of them the government is no longer paying any attention to the plight of IDPs,” said Ghulam. He added those who took shelter in educational institutions are now been pushed out.

“We are in a hurry to go back home but we have been confined to tents without proper facilities or ration,” added the displaced tribal elder.

Pir Kalay

Hafiz Shaheen Islah, an elder of Eidak tribe, also expressed similar concerns. Islah was accommodated in Pir Kalay tent village set up for the displaced on Mirali-Miranshah Road. However, he moved out after two weeks because of the non-availability of basic amenities.

“I was in that camp from August 14 to August 29 and during that time food ration was distributed only once,” said Israr. He complained about the camp administration’s apathy toward the IDPs. More than 30,000 people are living in the tent village but they are deprived of food, water and other facilities, he reiterated.

“The tribesmen are now being compelled to move to other camps in search of proper arrangements.”

However, Islah who has now been living in Bakakhel camp for the past few weeks admitted it was better-equipped but water shortage was still a major issue.

Allocating blame

When approached, FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) Deputy Director Dr Haseeb Ahsan admitted Pir Kalay camp lacked facilities and thus IDPs were leaving. He maintained the Fata administration was in charge of the camp.

“We were informed on August 3 that around 5,000 to 6,000 families had left Eidak, NWA and we accordingly made arrangements for them in Saidgai, but the families did not turn up there,” said Ahsan.

According to the deputy director, on August 14, the Fata administration took charge from the FDMA and transported 3,000 tents to Pir Kalay for the families.

Ahsan, however, contested the IDPs’ complaints about the lack of facilities at Baran Camp in Bakakhel. He insisted all necessities are available there.

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