ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: The displacement of people in the NWFP because of military action against militants is a ‘long-term problem’ which will be there for a year at least, Pakistan government has told the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an indication that the operation in tribal areas may last longer than expected.

The UNHCR is supporting people who were forced to leave their homes because of fierce clashes in their areas.

The government, sources said, told the UN refugee agency that the issue was now a ‘long-term problem’, which was might not be solved in near future.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced since the military operation in Bajaur started in mid-August.

According to the latest UNHCR figures, there are about 100,000 internally-displaced people and 25,500 of them are living in eight camps, and others in makeshift camps or relatives’ homes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

UN resident coordinator Fikret Ackura told Dawn that the UN had been informed by the Pakistan government that it expected the problem to continue for a ‘year or more’.

Mr Ackura said an early end to insurgency was possible only if the state could show its ‘full splendour’.

Inter-Agency Standing Committee, an umbrella body for UN agencies working in the country, discussed on Wednesday the new situation for revising an earlier appeal of $17.2 million for three-month international assistance.

Inspector-General Frontier Corps Maj-Gen Tariq Khan sparked a controversy last month when he ruled out an early end to military operation in Bajaur said he expected the military to take another six months to establish complete control and eradicate the militants.

The FC chief was criticised by Prime Minister Gilani for making the statement.

According to the army figures, about 1,500 militants have so far been killed and another 200 captured in the Bajaur in one of the most aggressive operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in the region.

REHABILITATION: Mr Ackura said Bajaur Agency now required a major rehabilitation effort with most of the urban areas seriously damaged.

“The government would have to bring the 21st century to these people.”