THE government needs to take the challenge of IDPs as a win-win situation. It is time this challenge was turned into an opportunity by owning and accommodating these tribal Pakistanis in a better way: it’s time they were made to realise that they are no children of a lesser god.

This calls for giving them quality food, shelter, medical facility, clothes, etc.

If this happens, these people will help out the government in maintaining the peace and writ of the state in North Waziristan. On the contrary, the militants will come back with more audacious plans if the IDPs aren’t won over.

Hassan Ijaz
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014