ISLAMABAD

The tribal families of North Waziristan migrated to Khost and Paktika, two adjacent Afghan provinces, before military operation ‘Zarb-e-Azab’ are willing to resettle and protect their areas after the end of military operation in the restive area.
The military, currently marching towards success in Shawal (Jungle area of North Waziristan) by clearing the area from militants, has given a hope to these tribesmen to rehabilitate in their own land once again.
Around one lakh tribal people migrated towards Afghanistan have started giving hints to rehabilitate once they would be provided proper infrastructure, restoration of institutions and basic necessities, including hospitals and schools.
“These tribesmen will love to resettle in their own areas if peace was restored there after the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azab,” said Rustam Shah Mohmand, specialist in Afghan affairs, exclusively talking to The Nation. “It is not enough to give money to IDPs as rehabilitation could further win their hearts... The tribal families who left for Afghanistan want to resettle and willing to protect their areas as majority of extremists have been killed or fled,” said Mohmad, who was a senior member of the government negotiating team for peace talks with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The situation of restive area, he observed, will quite different after the military operation which would help rehabilitate the derange families, who preferred to take refugee in Afghanistan. “They are even willing to protect their areas on their own after finding calm and peace in their area,” he added.
The mass exodus of tribal families was witnessed from North Waziristan to Khost and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan from adjacent borders area of North Waziristan, including Ghulam Khan, Said Gai exit, Madaa Khel tec.
Shura-e-Mujhadeen (SeM), advisory council led by Hafiz Gul Bhadur, who hails from Madda Khel rose to prominence as militant commander in 2005, had set a deadline on June 10, 2014 for the local tribesmen to shift their families to safer families as after the expiration of the deadline clashes could take place.
“Until June 10, every individual is allowed to work for peace in the area, otherwise, the peace accord between the government and militants will be considered as null and void,” reads a pamphlet. Following the deadline, people of the area had started shifting to camps established for the IDPs and many chose to migrate towards Afghanistan.
Due to military operation even foreign militants were reportedly believed to flee Afghanistan. These foreign militants, including Uzbek, Chechens, Arabs, tried to get space in the ranks of Afghan Taliban.
However, the tribal families were reportedly welcomed in Afghanistan but due to old custom and tradition they are willing to resettle in the areas if once given proper restoration after the military operation.
On the other hand, Jamaat Islami Chief Sirajul Haq had recently threatened to stage a sit-in in Islamabad if incumbent government fails to address the issue of IDPs of North Waziristan living in camps.