ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (ABC): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday ruled out any military operation in Tirah Valley, saying the recent displacement of residents was part of routine seasonal migration.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he said reports of a planned or ongoing operation in Tirah Valley were incorrect. He added that the movement of people should not be portrayed as forced displacement.
Seasonal migration, not forced displacement
Khawaja Asif said residents of six to seven valleys in Tirah Valley migrate every year for four to six months when winter snowfall begins. As a result, families move to warmer areas, including Bara and Peshawar. However, they usually leave behind one or two members to protect their homes.
“This is a routine practice that has continued for years and can be verified,” he said. Therefore, he stressed that the current Tirah Valley displacement was seasonal in nature.
He was accompanied at the press conference by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan.
Rs4bn migration package approved
The defence minister said a jirga from Tirah Valley had been holding meetings with the provincial government. Consequently, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government approved a Rs4 billion migration package for the residents.
Holding up an official notification, he said the arrangement was strictly between the jirga and the provincial government. Moreover, he clarified that the armed forces deployed in the area had no role in the decision.
Earlier, he said members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were present in Tirah Valley with their families. He estimated their number at around 400 to 500.
No military operation in Tirah Valley
Khawaja Asif said a military operation had taken place in Tirah Valley years ago. Later, however, authorities decided that intelligence-based operations were more effective and caused less collateral damage.
As a result, large-scale operations were discontinued several years ago. Therefore, he said there was no question of launching a new military operation in Tirah Valley.
Lack of basic facilities highlighted
Criticising the provincial government, the defence minister said Tirah Valley lacked basic facilities. In particular, he pointed to the absence of hospitals, schools and police stations, despite earlier commitments.
He added that there was no functional police station in the area. According to him, civilian law enforcement was completely absent.
Hemp cultivation and local economy
Referring to economic activity, Khawaja Asif said hemp was cultivated on around 12,000 acres in Tirah Valley. He said each acre generated profits of about Rs3 to 3.5 million.
He explained that hemp had several legal uses, including medicines and construction material. However, he alleged that the financial benefits did not reach local residents.
Therefore, he said the federal government had started measures to ensure that income from hemp cultivation benefited the people of Tirah Valley. These measures, he added, included the construction of schools and hospitals. He reiterated that the situation had no link to any military operation.