Clearing of Shawal Valley rekindles hopes for IDPs

ISLAMBAD: The continuous reports of near completion of 18-month-old operation Zarb-e-Azb, expectations of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people especially driven out from North Waziristan Agency have increased.

ISPR Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajwa’s latest assertion that Shawal valley in troubled North Waziristan Agency has been cleared has not only given the hope of start of reconstruction work to enable IDPs return in bulk but the population still living in pockets would have also taken a sigh of relief. However lack of reconstruction activities and absence of basic humanitarian facilities would continue to haunt the returnees as already their return plan started in March this year is going at snail’s pace. 

According to renowned expert on militancy/terrorism and defence analyst Brig (R) Mehmood Shah, the clearing of Shawal valley was biggest achievement in the whole operation. Pakistan Air Force has played pivotal role in clearing the valley by undertaking large number of sorties to dig out the hideouts of terrorists.

Mehmood Shah said he believed objectives of the operation are almost complete with peace returning to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and all the tribal agencies. He said the operation was too difficult due to the porous border with Afghanistan as infiltration is still continuing.

Security related developments in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) had forced thousands of people to leave their homes and move to Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Bakkar and Fatehjang in Punjab, and other parts of the country since June 15, 2014 when operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched.

The latest reports quoting official figures has put the toll at more than 698,435, with people continuing to move. Nearly 80 percent of the displaced are women and children, which is a concern. Informal evaluation conducted by partners identified shelter, access to health facilities, and food as the priority needs.

Brig. Shah says, the IDPs can return to their homes once they are assured they will get back their reconstructed houses and infrastructure that has been destroyed during the fierce battles. He said large number of IDPs living close to roads those from Miran Shah headquarter town of NWA have already returned to their homes.