Meeting with displaced: Repatriation of IDPs to start soon, says Major General Rao

GOC N Waziristan points out grants given to the displaced by the army

BANNU: The repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan Agency will begin in phases soon, according to Major-General Akhtar Jameel Rao, General Officer Commanding (GOC) in North Waziristan. His remarks came during a meeting with IDPs in Bannu.

The Jirga of GOC while addressing the IDPs in Bannu said that security forces are striving hard to provide every possible facility to the IDPs of North Waziristan, adding that in previous military operations in Fata and settled areas of K-P such facilities were not provided.



The GOC said that so far four billion in donation money has been distributed among the IDPs along with 36,000 tonnes of rations and 700 tonnes of fodder for cattle.

Maj-General Rao informed that under the supervision of WFP, blankets and quilts and warm clothing among IDPs have been given while electricity, health facilities and education is also provided to them in the FR Bakka Khel camp.

He pointed that around 14,000 IDPs children have been admitted in different schools while 5,500 children are studying in shelter schools in different parts of K-P.

The GOC expressed regret at the incident of clashes between IDPs and the police in Bannu, saying such incidents should be avoided in future and they do not leave a good impression on the image of Pakistan.

He pointed out that according to the package given by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to the IDPs Youth some 14,000 youngsters will be positioned in security forces while 1,500 students will be given admissions in cadet colleges. “The operation in the agency was launched to free the people from the clutches of militants” he explained, and promised that once again Miranshah will become developed and a business hub in Fata.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.