Pakistan’s efforts to rehabilitate IDPs

Khalid Khokhar




A military operation codenamed "Rah-e-Haq-4" has been launched only after all efforts to woo the Taliban to give up their unlawful activities had failed in the restive Swat valley. The Nizam-e-Adil Regulation-2009 was promulgated hoping that it was a regional remedy which should not be exported to other parts of the country as promised by TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad. Yet, as soon as NAR was enforced, the militants embarked on to Buner, Lower Dir and Shangla. The infamous "Malakand Peace Agreement-2009" that was brokered on February 16, 2009, has only emboldened an export into other districts in the name of spreading Islamic law. The utmost restraint from Pakistan Army was misinterpreted as "weakness". Many religious leaders are considering this wave of Talibanization as the beginning of an Islamic revolution. But, Taliban militants wanted to enforce their own brand of laws in the region and started attacking government buildings, courts and security forces in Bunner, Dir and Shangla. This forced the Pakistan Army to resume their operations on April 26, 2009 in Lower Dir, Buner and Swat, so as to flush out the anti-state element from the embattled area.




Pakistan Army is presently engaged in massive operations in the north-west of the country where militants had infiltrated into the Buner valley, Dir and Shangla. In the "search & destroy" operation, Pakistan Army has cleared the town of Mingora city and Charbagh city overcoming stiff resistance. Militants' strongholds in Mingora, Peochar (hideouts of Fazlullah, Muslim Khan, Shah Dawran, Mehmood Khan and Ibne Amin), Kabal, Khawazakhel and Shangla had been attacked successfully. The ground intelligence estimates indicate that the presence of Taliban has been thinned out to about 1000 militants from 4000 militants at the commencement of the operation in Swat. The quick successes of the Army in clearing the strongholds of Taliban proved that the armed forces are very serious in their objective of eliminating the Taliban. The successful operation will have three major implications for the Taliban movement. (1) Cross border movement will be fairly controlled. (2) Talibans' ability to organize training camps will be effectively smashed making it difficult to find new recruits. (3) Common people will be gradually weaning away from the militants' camps. (4) Traditional writ of the state will be restored. (5) The success of the Swat operation will elevate the morale of the Government. (6) The success will allay the doubts about Pakistan military's fighting capability & willingness to fight Taliban internationally.




As the use of force within own country without popular support of the people, could seriously erode credibility of military operations in the eyes of own people. The Pakistan Army has to take extra care of the local sensitivities. The active cooperation of all other segment of the society should be required to support the operation. The people have realized that even after accepting their demand of enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl, the miscreants continued to indulge in unlawful activities including destroying public property, abduction, dacoities etc. The general masses of Swat area want Army to eliminate this menace once and for all. They have come to know who is responsible for their terrible plight. The Pakistan Cabinet endorsed the ongoing military operation against the Taliban and other militants in the Malakand division of the country's North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The politically active circles, societal groups and others oppose religious extremism and militancy. This sentiment has increased against the backdrop of the political developments leading up to the operation and the pushing back of the Taliban by the military in Malakand. We should fully support our Army and its operation. We must appreciate the supreme sacrifice of our own army Jawans embracing martyrdom for securing the future of our young generation. The journalists, political commentators and writers in the press should also support the current military operation.




Casualties are inevitable in any war. Collateral damage is damage that is unintended damage occurring as a result of military actions directed against targeted enemy forces or facilities. In Pakistan, the military operation has proved a humanitarian catastrophe for villagers of Swat, Bunner, Shangla and Lower Dir. Pakistan Army is attacking only confirmed hideouts and strongholds in the valley on the mountains to avoid collateral damage. The military operation has led to a flood of internally displace people (IDP) seeking shelter outside Malakand division. According to reliable sources, 3.4 million of people have fled through difficult mountain tracks to the neighbouring Swabi and Mardan districts, where the Government has set up refugee camps. As far as relief activities are concerned, Pakistan Army has sent 25 trucks of rations, bedding and foods items to IDPs at Khwazakhela, Saro Shah, Guli Bagh, Bakhshali, Gujrat, Balagarhi, Takhat Bahi, Mayar, Baghdada and Mingora. The government's priority was to ensure safe and early return of all IDPs. For the first time in its history, Pakistan Army has taken a decision to give part of its daily ration (items of daily food; Atta, Sugar, Ghee and Dal) to these IDPs. This exemplifies the Army's spirit of sacrifice. The food items so provided will be able to daily feed about 80,000 adults. Furthermore, Army is deploying its medical resources in all the IDPs camps. These medical camps will have adequate medicines for 90 days. The mass exodus of civilian population had no parallel in contemporary history. The spirit of sacrifice of IDPs must be appreciated as they have abandoned their homes to protect the Federation of Pakistan. Similarly, the generosity of the families who have opened their homes and hujras for IDPs in this hour of trial, should also be appreciated. The Government is taking various steps to ameliorate the sufferings of IDPs.




The question of the IDPs does not pertain to a particular province but is a national concern and the entire nation is committed to the cause. The provincial governments of Sindh and Punjab have contributed in this national effort not only by donating to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund but also by providing material help to the concerned camps. President Zardari's request to the business community of playing their role in rehabilitation of IDPs, is a step in right direction.




The fight against Taliban and extremists is a long-term and multi-dimensional conflict of irregular nature. Pakistan is doing everything it can within the constraints. The armed forces are determined to take the operation to its logical conclusion. It appears that after putting up stiff resistance, most Talibans decided not to give a pitched battle. So far, over 1300 militants have been killed while 92 militants including high profile commanders have been arrested. The terrorists are getting demoralised and are trying to flee the areas of the operation. The Taliban have started making statements that they do not want war. Some Talibans will inevitably escape themselves amongst the masses of IDPs streaming into camps.




Troops have set up check posts on roads in Swat to intercept the fleeing Talibans. The Pakistan Army and security forces are rendering sacrifices of their lives for the peace in the country; 91 security personnel embracing martyrdom with 276 getting injured during the operation.