TANK: The repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to South Waziristan Agency started on Wednesday, as 373 families left Khargai camp here for their native towns.

The displaced families started their journey towards their destination in a convoy of 142 vehicles. The IDPs remained in the camp and other areas for about nine years after their dislocation following the launch of military operation “Rah-i-Nijat”.

Political agent of South Waziristan Agency Zafarul Islam Khattak, Col Imran and other officials were also present on this occasion. The repatriation process will continue till Oct 15, said officials of the political administration.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Khattak said that each family would be paid Rs10,000 for transportation, Rs400,000 for an extensively damaged house and Rs160,000 for partially damaged house. He said that the villages where the families were being sent had already been cleared by the army.

The political agent said that in the first phase up to 25,000 families would be repatriated to 67 villages. He said that 100,000 people had already been repatriated.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2016