KARACHI - Social scientists have expressed their serious concerns over the decision of Sindh government to accommodate internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the metropolis and said that such a policy could enhance not only ethnic disputes but also prove a burden on citys economy. Some political parties want to bring IDPs in the city to enhance their political power. IDPs should be accommodated near to their native areas because their entry in the megalopolis will further increase the ethnic tensions in Karachi, they said while talking to The Nation on Tuesday. Renowned sociologist Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat said it was the responsibility of international community to arrange for the settlement of IDPs near their native areas because Pakistan was fighting international war. He added that due to the cultural similarities, IDPs should be settled down close to their native areas, like Abbotabad, Attock, Fateh Jhang, Kohat, Rawalpindi and Jehlum. He pointed out that such an arrangement would be natural because these areas have water and energy resources to facilitate the victims. Criticising the IDPs, Burfat said that these people had been supporting militant elements and during the Afghan war they had welcomed foreigners and married their daughters to them. He said the people of Swat and other affected areas were responsible for this catastrophe. Punjab can play vital role in this regard as it is the largest province of the country and has land and other resources to facilitate IDPs. Being an inhabitant of the province, I would say that Sindh has rendered great sacrifices for the federation and now it is too weak to extend any support in this regard, he opined. It is pertinent to mention here that all Sindhi nationalist parties have rejected the government decision to settle IDPs in the province as well as in the metropolis. Similarly, the MQM leadership has also expressed its reservations over the issue and warned the government that Taliban could enter the city under the cover of the displaced people. Conversely, these parties are also providing all possible support to IDPs through launching aid campaigns. Likewise, the government of Sindh has already donated Rs 70 million to Prime Ministers Special Fund for the victims of terrorism. Truckloads of relief goods have also been dispatched not only by the Sindh Government but also by MQM for the IDPs. Prominent economist Prof Dr Shahida Wazarat said the issue of IDPs settlement in the province should be handled in a peaceful manner however it was quite abstruse to say that whether IDPs should be settled here or not. She pointed out, This is fallout of the army operation. This will be ethically erroneous not to welcome IDPs in the city, but on the other hand the terrible aftermaths of the IDPs settlement here cannot be ignored. The countrys soil is being used for the vested interests of the US and UK. Durable peace in the country is the need of the hour to protect our generation. Dr Mutahir Ahmed, an expert in international relations, said that IDPs were free to go anywhere in the country, as per constitution of 1973, but practically it was difficult to accommodate them in Sindh. The Sindh province, especially Karachi, is considered more sensitive politically, while ethnic politics can be stimulated more in the province, he said, adding that the IDPs issue has become political and settlement of these persons in the province will cause ethnic violence. Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is the better place for the settlement of IDPs because the place is not only suitable for them culturally but also close to their native areas, he argued.