ISLAMABAD: The government approved on Tuesday the army’s strategy for return of internally displaced people (IDPs) to areas cleared by the army during the Zarb-i-Azb operation against Taliban and other militant groups.

The prime minister was briefed at a meeting at the Prime Minister House on a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of IDPs and reconstruction of areas affected by the operation.

The meeting was attended by Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Minister for Frontier Regions retired Lt Gen Abdul Quadir Baloch and Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.

The army has already begun preparations for return of displaced people as Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif has declared IDPs’ return to their homes as the top priority.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sharif praised the successful military operation in North Waziristan and said it had inflicted a fatal blow to terrorists.

The prime minister said that peace restored as a result of the operation would contribute to ensuring peace in the entire region.

Published in Dawn December 10th , 2014