KHYBER: Kukikhel tribesmen called off their protest sit-in here on Wednesday after two and a half months, as the government promised early return of the remaining over 60,000 internally displaced families to their homes in the tribal district.

The development came after Kukikhel elders met with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Peshawar.

Official sources told Dawn that the chief minister told Kukikhels that the schedule of the return of the internally displaced persons would be decided after consultation with authorities next week.

They said that after registration, IDPs would be sent back to their areas, which were recently de-notified by security officials.

After the meeting, Kukikhels called off their protest and withdrew their plans to take IDPs to their respective areas on Oct 17 (today).

Tribal elders discuss issues with CM in Peshawar meeting

The protesting tribesmen had closed the Peshawar-Torkham Highway since Aug 21, badly affecting the country’s trade with Afghanistan. The police diverted traffic to another road.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s House confirmed the meeting between Kukikhelelders and the chief minister.

According to it, the participants held extensive consultation on the reparation of Kukikhel IDPs to their native areas.

Local MNA Iqbal Afridi, MPAs Sohail Afridi and Abdul Ghani Afridi, the commissioner of Peshawar, secretary of the relief department, deputy commissioner of Khyber tribal district and other relevant officials were also present in the meeting.

The participants agreed to the immediatestart of registration for the return of Kukikhels to the areas cleared by security forces and decided that a meeting would be held with authorities next week to develop a timeline and action plan for the return of the remaining displaced families.

The tribal elders later announced an immediate end to their 75-day-long sit-in on the Torkham-Peshawar Highway as well as the cancellation of a proposed march on Tirah and expressed confidence in the chief minister regarding his commitment to the repatriation of IDPs.

They also praised the CM over the peaceful resolution of the issue surrounding the recent PTM jirga in Jamrud tehsil.

The elders said the chief minister’s “wisdom and able leadership” prevented violence and resolved the issue in peaceful manner, according to the official statement.

They insisted that the chief minister had successfully resolved the Oct 11 PTM jirga and Bannu issues, so they hoped that Mr Gandapur would effectively address their concerns as well.

The chief minister appreciated Kukikhel elders for reposing trust in him for the resolution of the IDP reparation issue and assured them of making “every possible effort to live up to their expectations.”

He said that a meeting with relevant stakeholders would be held next week to finalise a plan for the repatriation and rehabilitation of the displaced people.

“Tribal people have made tremendous sacrifices in the war against terrorism by leaving their homes and enduring hardships for the sake of peace in the country. I assure them of return and resettlement in their areas as a government priority,” he said.

On the occasion, the chief minister directed authorities to commence the process for procuring necessary goods for the returning families.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024