PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Fata chapter, on Wednesday alleged embezzlement in the funds announced by the federal government for internally displaced persons (IDPs), saying that about 37,292 families had been dropped from the lists and deprived of cash payment.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, member of PTI’s Fata Organising Committee Tariq Dawar said that the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) had failed to do justice with IDPs because some 37,292 families were still waiting for registration.

He demanded of the federal government to conduct an inquiry into the matter and award punishment to all those involved in the misappropriation of funds meant for IDPs. He also demanded of the government to expedite the process so that all the people could be registered and provided with the relief packages and cash.

Mr Dawar said that IDPs were deprived of cash payment due to removal of their names from the lists compiled by FDMA.

“According to FDMA, it had disbursed Rs390 million till July 8 among IDPs at the rate of Rs12,000 each, but the displaced people do not know where the money had gone,” he said and urged the federal government to conduct investigation into the alleged embezzlement of compensation funds. He called for distribution of the money among IDPs without any discrimination.

Accompanied by the committee members, including Khalilur Rehman, Sajid Mohmand, Amin Zada Afridi and Khan Rehman Afridi, he also accused the representatives of Zong cellular company of collecting Rs5,000 to Rs6,000 from IDPs as bribe for disbursing the compensation amount of Rs37,000 per family.

He asked the government and the company’s high-ups to take immediate notice of this issue.

“We will raise our voice at every platform for the rights of tribal people,” he said. The PTI leader urged the government to immediately wind up the ongoing military operation in Fata and make arrangements for voluntary return of the displaced people of North Waziristan Agency to their homes.

He feared that in case the operation was prolonged it could create difficulties for the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Dawar also urged the federal and provincial governments to announce special Eid package for the displaced persons. He asked the federal government ensure rehabilitation of IDPs as early as possible.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2014