Peshawar, April 19: Pakistani authorities today asked people who had fled the Mohmand and Bajaur tribal regions due to anti-militancy operations to return to their houses, saying the regions have been cleared of Taliban fighters.
“After getting clearance from security agencies, the government of Pakistan has denotified conflict zones in Bajaur Agency and declared the whole of Mohmand Agency as a militancy-free area and suitable for the return of tribesmen,” said Tariq Hayat, the Secretary for Law and Order for the tribal areas.
The repatriation of displaced people from Mohmand Agency and Bajaur Agency will begin on April 25 and April 30 respectively, he told reporters.
Hayat said no one will be forced to return home.
However, the government will stop providing food support at camps for displaced people and shift this facility to Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies, he said.
–Agencies