Going home

The people of South Waziristan must not be used as pawns in any game between the militants and the military.

Over a year has passed since the military operation began in South Waziristan, the tribal agency where for many years the Taliban have been most deeply entrenched. Now, the process of IDPs returning to areas of the agency freed of militants has begun under the UNHCR umbrella. While tribesmen have been eager to return home from the Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts where they have been based for so long, away from their homes and in difficult living conditions, there is also a deep sense of fear. The feeling is that the Taliban remain based in the area and could strike back at those who return under an official plan. Apprehensions have been expressed over the idea of returning in official convoys.

So far, only around 650 individuals have opted to go back to their villages. For the authorities, this poses something of a dilemma. The military believes populated areas act as a greater deterrent to militants than vacant ones. But that is not the priority for these displaced people. For them, the issue of safety takes precedence over defeating militants, a cause which has already cost them a lot. The situation is also a reminder of the fact that the operation against the Taliban is far more complex, and has many more nuances, than would appear to be the case on first examination. While victory over the Taliban had been claimed by the Pakistan Army in February this year, it seems it is not as decisive as was claimed. People in South Waziristan believe the militants remain near and continue to pose a terrible threat.

There is also the issue of compensation for people who have effectively been deprived of a home for months. Those who go back are likely, in many cases, to be met by destroyed houses and lands. The amount of Rs25,000, being given to those returning as compensation, is hardly enough to allow families to get back on their feet. The people of South Waziristan deserve better. They must not be used as pawns in any game between the militants and the military, but regarded as persons who deserve to be treated with respect and given all the assistance they need to rebuild their shattered lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2010.