KHYBER: Significant progress has been made towards the return, rehabilitation and protection of the rights of people displaced from Tirah Valley, with a decision to convene a second high-level meeting soon, sources said.

A meeting was held at Khyber House in Peshawar to discuss the dignified return of Tirah Valley displaced families, payment of compensation, surveys of damaged houses, employment opportunities and provision of basic facilities.

The meeting was attended by Khyber Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan, Naveed Afridi, brother of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, representatives of Tirah Valley affectees, Shalobar Qaumi Council and Bara Political Alliance, among others.

Representatives of the displaced families and the Bara Political Alliance presented their demands and briefed the officials about the difficulties being faced by the affected population.

Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan said the administration was taking steps to ensure the return of the displaced people as soon as possible in accordance with the agreed terms. He said the district administration was working around the clock to address their concerns.

He said the GRC process had been completed for 2,300 people, with another 1,200 cases also completed. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found collecting money from displaced people illegally.

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The deputy commissioner said a separate committee had been formed to conduct surveys of damaged houses in Tirah Valley. Representatives from each village council would be included in the committee, while the formal survey process would begin after the return of the displaced families.

He said special registration would be carried out for orphans, widows and other vulnerable and deserving groups to ensure they receive their rightful share in the rehabilitation process. A land compensation process would also be initiated to address land-related issues and provide compensation to eligible affectees.

The administration also plans to take steps regarding unnecessary checkpoints and address concerns of local residents over privacy and other difficulties. A special package would also be provided to the families of martyrs, he said.

Regarding denotification, Shahid Ali Khan said the process would move forward once the required clearance was received.

He further said there would be no compromise on the quality, pace or transparency of development projects in Tirah Valley. The requirement for NOCs for development projects had been removed, while efforts were underway to create employment opportunities for local youth. He added that local youth had already been provided jobs in the education sector.

Shalobar Qaumi Council Chairman Lal Nabi Afridi thanked Naveed Afridi for facilitating direct talks between a high-level delegation of Tirah affectees and the district administration, saying the initiative had helped bring their key demands before the relevant authorities.

Naveed Afridi also thanked Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan for taking immediate steps to address the concerns of the displaced people. He said the deputy commissioner had directed the relevant departments to take action on matters falling within the district administration’s jurisdiction.

The meeting concluded with a decision to hold another high-level meeting soon to work out a practical and permanent solution to the problems faced by Tirah affectees. Representatives of the chief minister, parliamentarians and other relevant officials are expected to attend the meeting.

The next meeting will focus on finalising a comprehensive plan for the return and rehabilitation of displaced families and the reconstruction of Tirah Valley.