“We will reconstruct a better area for IDPs when they return.”
–Nawaz Sharif – December 2014.
When Zarb-e-Azb began on June 15, 2014, both the government and the military realised the importance of rehabilitating the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as soon as things settled in the areas of conflict. Following the removal of terrorist cells in the agencies, the federal and provincial governments were tasked with ensure that the homes and infrastructure destroyed in the fight against the militants would be rebuilt. However, after giving the go-ahead to rebuild in the agencies in December 2014, not much has been done in the way of resettlement. Those that have returned have complained of the lack of infrastructure for their livelihoods and for survival. With only a limited amount of funds earmarked for reconstruction having been released, the government seems to have reneged on its promise to make the lives of IDPs whole once more.