KHYBER: The displaced families of Kukikhel tribe started returning to their homes in Tirah valley after repeated protests and demonstrations.

Some 50 families left Jamrud late on Wednesday while another batch of similar number of families belonging to Maniyakhel sub-tribe of Kukikhel started their return journey to Pak Darra on Thursday.

A Kukikhel elder, Malak Naseer Ahmad, told Dawn that though the returning families were not provided with sufficient assistance except for a tent, a mattress and some kitchen items, the returning families arranged transport for their return journey from their own limited resources.

He accused the government departments concerned of ignoring their repeated requests and appeals for a comprehensive package on the pattern of the rest of IDPs from other tribal districts in recent past.

He said most of the homes in the Kukikhel areas of Tirah valley were unsuitable for living as these houses were either damaged in military operations or had collapsed during snowy and rainy season during a decade of displacement of the local tribesmen.

Members of Some of the returning families said that it was very difficult for them to accommodate one whole family in just one tent while none of them were provided food, which was essential for their survival for at least three months.

The remaining Kukikhel families’ exact number could not be ascertained as they had not registered themselves with the erstwhile Fata Disaster Management Authority back in 2012 when they left their homes.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2024