SWABI: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Friday his government was working hard to help the displaced people return to their homes. ‘The day is not far off when you will return to your homes and we will meet you there,’ he said.

In a brief address to a gathering at a camp set up by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in Shah Mansoor town, the president said the displaced people had rendered great sacrifices and needed support in their hour of need.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Information Minister Qamaruz Zaman Kaira and NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti accompanied the president.

Reiterating his determination to root out extremism, the president said the government was doing everything to help the displaced people. He said the entire nation, government and army stood with the IDPs and they were striving to provide relief.

He urged the displaced people to support the government and army in their efforts to defeat terrorists. ‘The entire nation is with you, keep faith in Allah, in your government and the army. You are our brothers and sisters and will try our level best to take good care of you.’

The president said that a model camp would be set up in Jalozai where required amenities would be provided to the IDPs.

He said the disabled would get special attention and they would be given wheelchairs. He announced that centres for children with adequate medical and healthcare facilities would be set up in camps.

‘We have to meet the challenges and difficulties with great determination. The same people (terrorists) who made you homeless separated my children from their mother,’ he said, referring to the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.

The president visited various sections of the camp, exchanged views with the displaced people, listened to their complaints and distributed relief goods.

He asked the authorities concerned to provide best possible facilities to the affected people.