In March, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government started the process of rehabilitating the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) living in Jalozai camp near Nowshera. More than 15,000 families from Fata have taken refuge in this camp. However, the government-sponsored rehabilitation drive has not seen much success so far as most of the IDPs have refused to return till their demands of security and financial assistance are met.
In the light of such resistance, the government has now announced an extension in the deadline. In what has been the largest internal displacement in the country's history, over 2.7 million people were displaced, voluntarily or involuntarily, since the military operation began in the Malakand and Fata region. Though the majority of the IDPs from Malakand division were able to return to their homes, the IDPs from Fata were not so lucky, as they have been holed up in the Jalozai camp for nearly two years now.
The government and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) claim that it is now safe for the IDPs of Bajaur and Mohmand Agency to go back home. However, this assertion has been met with strong resistance by the habitants of the Jalozai camp, saying the situation in their hometowns is still unsuitable for them to move back. They have demanded adequate financial compensation for their return since most of their houses have been either completely or partially destroyed by the military operations. Additionally, a lot of displaced families have lost their businesses and need financial aid to start earning their livelihood.
Aside from that, the displaced people of Fata are also concerned about the security in their native villages. This is a legitimate concern, which needs to be effectively addressed by the government. There has been a precedent of IDPs from Swat returning to their homes, only to find that the area was not as secure as they had been led to believe.
According to a 2010 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, when the displaced populace of Mingora returned in June 2009 after government assurances regarding security, they found scattered landmines left by the militants. Several former IDPs were killed by these mines and unexploded ammunition left by the militants and the army. Additionally, the IDPs have also been targeted by the militants, especially the ones belonging to those tribes, which aligned with the government and fought the militancy. Last year, at two different instances, people who had taken refuge in camps were directly targeted by suicide bombers as they lined up for food, causing nearly 100 casualties. Thus, the security concerns of those being asked to go back must be addressed by the government if it hopes to get support for a successful reintegration process.
Increasing protests in recent months by the IDPs in various camps are an indicator of their frustration against their living conditions and the proposed government rehabilitation plans. To address their concerns, the government must bring all stakeholders onboard instead of making ad hoc decision about the fate of these Pakistani citizens. All decisions need to be taken with the input of those whose lives are, or will be, directly affected by it.
Providing adequate information to the IDPs is the first step in discarding misunderstandings about the current policies and also encouraging dialogue over future strategies. The resultant policies will have a better chance of gaining widespread support from the IDPs and the rehabilitation work will be more long-lasting. It is imperative to utilise the services of the National Disaster Management Authority to co-ordinate with the IDPs and provide assurance to them regarding moving back to their hometowns, as well as lay out future plan of action to provide sustenance in the shape of financial support and otherwise.
In the light of such resistance, the government has now announced an extension in the deadline. In what has been the largest internal displacement in the country's history, over 2.7 million people were displaced, voluntarily or involuntarily, since the military operation began in the Malakand and Fata region. Though the majority of the IDPs from Malakand division were able to return to their homes, the IDPs from Fata were not so lucky, as they have been holed up in the Jalozai camp for nearly two years now.
The government and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) claim that it is now safe for the IDPs of Bajaur and Mohmand Agency to go back home. However, this assertion has been met with strong resistance by the habitants of the Jalozai camp, saying the situation in their hometowns is still unsuitable for them to move back. They have demanded adequate financial compensation for their return since most of their houses have been either completely or partially destroyed by the military operations. Additionally, a lot of displaced families have lost their businesses and need financial aid to start earning their livelihood.
Aside from that, the displaced people of Fata are also concerned about the security in their native villages. This is a legitimate concern, which needs to be effectively addressed by the government. There has been a precedent of IDPs from Swat returning to their homes, only to find that the area was not as secure as they had been led to believe.
According to a 2010 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, when the displaced populace of Mingora returned in June 2009 after government assurances regarding security, they found scattered landmines left by the militants. Several former IDPs were killed by these mines and unexploded ammunition left by the militants and the army. Additionally, the IDPs have also been targeted by the militants, especially the ones belonging to those tribes, which aligned with the government and fought the militancy. Last year, at two different instances, people who had taken refuge in camps were directly targeted by suicide bombers as they lined up for food, causing nearly 100 casualties. Thus, the security concerns of those being asked to go back must be addressed by the government if it hopes to get support for a successful reintegration process.
Increasing protests in recent months by the IDPs in various camps are an indicator of their frustration against their living conditions and the proposed government rehabilitation plans. To address their concerns, the government must bring all stakeholders onboard instead of making ad hoc decision about the fate of these Pakistani citizens. All decisions need to be taken with the input of those whose lives are, or will be, directly affected by it.
Providing adequate information to the IDPs is the first step in discarding misunderstandings about the current policies and also encouraging dialogue over future strategies. The resultant policies will have a better chance of gaining widespread support from the IDPs and the rehabilitation work will be more long-lasting. It is imperative to utilise the services of the National Disaster Management Authority to co-ordinate with the IDPs and provide assurance to them regarding moving back to their hometowns, as well as lay out future plan of action to provide sustenance in the shape of financial support and otherwise.
Source: Business Recorder, 22 May 2011
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