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PM assures all-out help for Waziristan IDPs

* Gilani says government has allocated Rs 25 billion for capacity-building of security forces in Malakand

ISLAMABAD: There is a need to create awareness and rally public and political support for the people who have been displaced from their homes by militancy, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he said the government would leave no stone unturned in facilitating the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Tribal Areas after the military operation in South Waziristan was completed.

He said the government would take all possible measures to look after them and utilise all available resources for their welfare. Referring to the operation in Malakand, he said the government had allocated Rs 50 billion for those displaced from the region.

Gilani said the government was committed to reconstructing Swat, Malakand and the Tribal Areas and would launch a massive socio-economic development project in those areas. He asked members of parliament to give suggestions for improving welfare services for the displaced.

“The government is reconstructing Malakand and Swat and would reconstruct and rehabilitate South Waziristan with the same spirit,” Gilani said in response to a point raised by a member from the Tribal Areas regarding ongoing relief activities for the IDPs, APP reported.

Capacity building: He said the government had also allocated Rs 25 billion for building capacity of the security forces in Malakand division and six billion rupees had been provided so far.

He said Rs 2.5 billion had been provided to the FATA administration for the welfare of the displaced people of the region, adding Rs 5,000 were being provided to each displaced family. He said Rs 25,000 would be provided to each family on its return after the military operation is completed.

"We did not look to the US, the UK, Japan or any other country, but allocated the money for them ourselves and started national-level relief activities," Gilani added.

The prime minister said the aid coming from abroad would also be adjusted to rehabilitate and reconstruct the affected areas.

Gilani asked the media to launch an awareness campaign to highlight the significance of the success of the anti-Taliban operation and mobilise public opinion in the military’s favour.

Solving the problem: He said military action was not the only solution to the problem. "There is an exit policy as well and we are also making administrative and political decisions."

Gilani said the government had stressed the rehabilitation of the affected area at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum as well. He also directed the Benazir Income Support Programme chairwoman to step up efforts for providing relief to the IDPs. "The IDPs need awareness and moral support and I urge the media and the political leadership to play their roles." staff report/app

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