KP releases Rs1.8bn for Bajaur IDPs as families decry neglect

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs1.8 billion to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to provide immediate relief to more than 18,000 people displaced from 30 villages in Mamond tehsil of Bajaur district after a targeted operation was launched against banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.

Many displaced families, now living at the Bajaur Sports Complex in Khar and other temporary shelters, said they face a shortage of basic facilities and indifference from higher authorities, who have turned a blind eye to their woes.

The provincial finance department issued the funds to the PDMA after approval from the provincial cabinet. Each affected family will receive Rs75,000 in assistance.

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Under “Operation Sarbakaf” in Mamond tehsil, more than 2,034 families have so far relocated to safer locations. The displaced include 6,858 children and 2,479 women.

According to the PDMA, 434 families — comprising 2,497 individuals including 334 men, 464 women and 1,699 children — are currently residing in the camp set up at the Bajaur Sports Complex.

Another 1,600 families are accommodated in schools: 1,273 men, 1,260 women and 3,424 children in government boys’ schools; 491 men, 518 women and 1,295 children in government girls’ schools; 211 men, 221 women and 420 children in private institutions; and 11 men, 16 women and 20 children in private hostels.

The PDMA said it has distributed more than 3,000 relief items — including kitchen sets, bedding and tents — to displaced families at the sports complex. From Thursday, food distribution will begin, with 4,000 packages prepared.

To register internally displaced persons (IDPs), the district administration, in collaboration with NADRA and PDMA, has set up a centre at the Tehsil Utman Khel Complex with 10 counters and five mobile verification stations.

Meanwhile, a peace jirga was held at the Bajaur Press Club on Wednesday, attended by local elders and elected representatives. The jirga called on the government to guarantee the protection of lives and property, immediately lift the curfew in Bajaur, and restore mobile networks.

Earlier, peace talks between the TTP and the local Jirga failed as the militants sought enforcement of Sharia in all tribal districts.

Izzatullah, who arrived at the temporary shelter from Nakhtar with his family, told BBC Urdu that he left his home in compliance with the army and government’s orders — but life has become far more difficult since.

“Earlier, we could hire a vehicle from Bajaur to the hospital for Rs2,000, but since coming to this tent village, transporters demand exorbitant fares,” he said. “We walked here with our children — not by choice — and now people are taking advantage of our helplessness.”

He said new arrivals are not being given tokens or basic items: “We sleep on the ground without anything to spread beneath us or to cover ourselves. There isn’t even enough drinking water. We ask the provincial government to arrange proper electricity; we are forced to spend nights under mobile light.”

“These people are not beggars — they left property worth millions at your request. At least provide the basics for our small children. We left our fully furnished homes with just one set of clothes.”

Similarly, Muhammad Abdullah, a teacher from Damma Dola now living in the government-established tent village, said no MPA or MNA had visited to check on them. “If someone does come, it’s only for photos,” he said.

“In 2008, during a similar operation, our homes were demolished — now it’s happening again. We demand targeted action against militants, but our houses must not be destroyed.”

At the outset of the peace process this month, the Jirga leader had told TTP members to either return across the border or move to the mountains, saying locals could not tolerate the presence of militants in populated areas. The TTP rejected the proposal, insisting they were locals and would not leave.