PESHAWAR: Tribal elders from Dandi Darpakhel area of North Waziristan Agency have expressed serious concern over the delay in rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and warned to march on Islamabad if they are not allowed to return at the earliest.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, a group of elders led by Malik Ayub said that 98 per cent of the Miramshah people had returned to their hometowns, but those belonging to Dandi Darpakhel were yet to get permission to return to their area.

Flanked by Malik Habibullah, Malik Bahadur Khan, Malik Zali Khan and Malik Iqbal, Mr Ayub said that 2,400 families were still living in camps in miserable conditions, but the federal government was least bothered to pay attention.

He said that tokens meant for return to homes had been issued to the IDPs about four months ago, but they were yet to be allowed to go back.

Seek financial package for themselves

He said that Dandi Darpakhel was one of the peaceful localities in North Waziristan Agency, but its people had to suffer the most, mainly due to delay in their rehabilitation.

He alleged that their houses and shops were demolished and construction material was taken away by unknown people.

He urged the government to protect their houses and markets and announce schedule for their rehabilitation without any delay.

Mr Ayub said that the government should ensure inclusion of the displaced families in the ongoing census.

He said that the government should announce a comprehensive development and financial package for the affected families so that they could rebuild their houses and markets.

Other elders said that the government had assured them of protecting all belongings of the people on vacating houses, but it did not fulfil its commitment.

They urged the government to order probe into the destruction of houses and shops and taking away of their belongings by unknown people.

They threatened to march on Islamabad if the government failed to accept their demands.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2017