DERA GHAZI KHAN City News

Nomads influx termed a security risk in DG Khan
From Hasnain Qaisrani
DERA GHAZI KHAN: Locals have termed the influx of hundreds of nomads from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a security risk in Dera Ghazi Khan division.
They said that with the start of the winter season, hundreds of nomad families with their belongings and cattle shifted to various areas of the division for 3-4 months as per old tradition. “The nomads reach here because ample fodder, land and space for their makeshift houses are available here. Though they travel through tractor-trolleys, but livestock herds reach here on foot,” they said.
They added that normally nomad families preferred land away from urban as well as rural localities so that they could establish their tents and makeshift houses and live freely without any check. They said that a large number of nomads had migrated to the area this year as compared to previous years. “The reason behind huge influx is unrest in the two provinces besides drought-like situation.”
They alleged that nomads were involved in criminal activities, while the police avoided action against them. They said that the nomads brought illegal weapons with them, which were transported unchecked across the inter-provincial border through traditional routes. They demanded that the nomads’ entry should be banned in the current scenario of terrorism, while proper screening should also be conducted for all the vehicles passing through the area. However, the police officials deployed at the inter-provincial check-post claimed that all vehicles crossing the borders were thoroughly checked.
Pano Khan, a family head, said that they had migrated for dry and fresh fodder for their animals, which were their sole source of livelihood. He said that they considered the area as native one because they had been migrating to it during the winter for years and returned back to their respective provinces before the summer. As per information, hundreds of nomad families have reached the areas of Taunsa Sharif, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Chowk Azam, Karor Lal Eisan and Fatehpur. Dera Ghazi Khan division is located on three important points - Tirimmin at Punjab-KP border, Bowata at Punjab-Balochistan border and Shahwali at Punjab-Sindh border.