Repatriation of South Waziristan IDPs begins today

Repatriation of South Waziristan Agency's displaced persons began in Tank on Monday, Express News reported. 

Identities of each member of the displaced families are being checked in tents set up in Tank.

Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Disaster Management Authority's Director Operation (FDMA) Farman Khilji told BBC Urdu, that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) will be returning home today.

He said at least 25,000 people belonging to Sararogha and Sarwakai tehsils from South Waziristan will be sent back.

Khilji added that displaced families are being gives Rs10,000 each for transportation costs.

 

AN EXPRESS NEWS SCREEN GRAB

Scores have been displaced due to the military operation in tribal areas, including South Waziristan. IDPs have been spending their lives in camps and their children have been deprived of education.

Khilji said that on March 20, IDPs from Khyber Agency will also return home.

 

PHOTO: BBC URDU

 

Read: Supporting IDPS: Exhibition to promote entrepreneurship 

The tribal elders had earlier said that if the government failed to give them a final repatriation date during their Jirga outside Fata Secretariat on March 16, they would proceed to Islamabad and stage a protest sit-in to press for their demands.

 

PHOTO: BBC URDU

 

Read: Homecoming: Registration begins as SWA IDPs pack bags to return home 

A biometric system has been put in place and 5,466 families have registered their identities until now. An allowance has also been allotted for each family.

Rs10,000 has been allotted for travel while Rs25,000 has been allotted for other expenses.