BANNU: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced here on Friday an increase in cash grant for families displaced from North Waziristan to Rs40,000 for Ramazan.

During a visit to a camp of internally displaced persons, he vowed to eradicate terrorism from the country and assured the IDPs that government and the military would use all available resources for their rehabilitation.

About the mass exodus of people in the wake of the ongoing military operation, he said it was not easy for people to leave their homes but there was no shortage of resources to relocate them and provide them basic amenities.

He said the army and the government would make untiring efforts to solve the problems being faced by the affected families in relief camps.

Military officials informed the prime minister about arrangements made in camps for families displaced from North Waziristan.

He said terrorists had challenged the state’s writ and they would be eliminated to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity.

He promised to rebuild the houses, schools and health facilities destroyed during the operation. The government will soon begin building new schools, hospitals and roads in the militancy-hit region.

Mr Sharif assures the families from North Waziristan that the government will begin rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals soon

Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif received the prime minister on his arrival here. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khat­tak and Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan were also present. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Minister of State Abdul Qadir Baloch accompanied the prime minister.

APP adds: Addressing the displaced people, the prime minister said each affected family would be paid a Rs20,000 Ramazan package and the monthly cash grant would be increased from Rs12,000 to Rs20,000, including Rs3,000 for house rent and Rs5,000 for non-food items.

He said he was aware of the difficulties and feelings of the displaced people and was confident that the problem would be solved soon and they would return to their homes with dignity.

Related: IDPs bemoan state’s apathy, neglect

The government and the army, he said, were working together with the prime objective of providing comfort and relief to the tribal people.

“This is not an act of kindness but we are fulfilling our duty,” he said, adding that the government would ensure that displaced people were repatriated to their homes.

The prime minister said a survey would be carried out to assess damage to houses and infrastructure after completion of the operation.

He said the entire nation was united against terrorism and militancy and peace would be restored in North Waziristan.

He said he had held a detailed meeting with the governor and chief minister and army officials to review the arrangements made for the displace people.

He said effective arrangements had also been made to provide fodder and shelter to the livestock of the displaced families.

Also read: Imran directs Khattak to visit IDP camps on Nawaz’s invitation

The prime minister praised the army and other departments for helping the IDPs.

In addition to medicines, he said, doctors and paramedics had arrived in adequate number to treat and vaccinate the IDPs.

The prime minister also distributed relief goods and food packages among displaced people.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2014