Despite funds transfer, North Waziristan families still await compensation

PESHAWAR: As North Waziristan struggles to recover from years of conflict, displacement and destruction, affected families continue to wait in vain for compensation, even though the government has formally approved and transferred Rs627 million to the Deputy Commissioner under its flagship Economic Revitalization Scheme Phase-II, but the DC Miranshah has not yet paid them.

Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah told this correspondent that the funds had been transferred to the Deputy Commissioner of Miranshah and instructions had been issued for their immediate distribution among the affected families. He said the DC would facilitate the disbursement as soon as possible.

Deputy Commissioner Miranshah, Yousaf Kareem, told this correspondent that the compensation would be paid within the next three to four days. However, he did not respond to a question regarding the months-long delay in the disbursement. The project launched under the Accelerated Implementation Programme AIP was designed to provide long-overdue compensation to those who lost their livelihoods, properties and businesses during military operations in the region. Hailed as a key step in rebuilding the war-hit district, the scheme aimed to restore economic stability and dignity to conflict-affected citizens.

According to official records, the 9th Steering Committee meeting held on April 3, 2024, in Peshawar approved 383 compensation cases under three categories: 341 cases of item loss, worth Rs321 million,10 cases of building loss amounting to Rs180 million, and 32 cases of land loss totaling Rs125 million.

While those falling under the item loss category have received their due payments, victims of land and building loss, whose compensation amounts to a combined Rs305 million, remain unpaid months after the funds were transferred to the Deputy Commissioner of North Waziristan.

The delay is particularly alarming given that the DC himself in official correspondence confirmed that all 42 land and building loss cases had been approved by the Provincial Steering Committee and uploaded to the Management Information System MIS — a required step for payment disbursement.

Furthermore, despite an inquiry into the matter, National Accountability Bureau NAB issued a letter in April 2025 emphasizing that disbursement to verified beneficiaries should not be delayed on humanitarian grounds.

“We were assured of compensation months ago. The funds have arrived, yet we are still waiting,” said a local elder from Miranshah whose family lost both commercial property and land. “We have no means of livelihood left and are drowning in debt.”

He appealed to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to take immediate action and ensure the disbursement of the remaining Rs305 million to the rightful recipients, many of whom continue to live in economic despair.