Thaindian News

Islamabad, July 25 (IANS) The restoration and reconstruction works in Pakistan’s restive Malakand division, where the military is wrapping up a nearly three-month-long operation against the Taliban, will start in September, a senior military official said Saturday.
“All available facilities have been provided for the repatriation of Malakand affectees,” Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad, the head of Special Support Group (SSG) for the Internally Displaced Persons, said during his visit to Jalozai refugee camp in Nowshera in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Online news agency reported.

He also assured that the SSG, which was formed by Pakistan Army in May to assist the provincial government to deal with the problems of refugees, would extend full cooperation to the NWFP government in restoration and repatriation of those affected by the operations.

According to Nadeem, Jalala relief camp would be closed next week, while Parosa camp in Charsadda would be closed in August.

Meanwhile, about 605 families taking shelter in Jalozai camp, 35 km southwest of NWFP capital Peshawar, left Saturday for their homes in Swat Valley and neighbouring districts, the report said.

Shakil Qadir, the head of the province’s Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority, said the government was in consultation with a number of international organisations to carry out reconstruction works in the affected areas in the province.

More than two million people fled their homes in Malakand division, the stronghold of Taliban fighters, since the military launched its offensive more than two months ago.

Nearly 85 percent of the refugees have been living with relatives or in hired accommodation while around 280,000 remain in makeshift camps.

More than 1,600 Taliban fighters have been killed in the operation, according to the military, which also claims to have recaptured most parts of Swat and its nearby districts. However, isolated clashes are continuing between troops and the Taliban remnants.