Displaced families evacuating from the conflict-hit Tirah valley have complained of mismanagement, long delays and inadequate facilities at registration centres on the route to Bara in Khyber district. The fresh wave of internally displaced persons (IDPs) follows intensified security operations in the area ahead of a full-scale offensive against militant groups.
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Families arriving in Bara reported a 100-kilometre journey that took hours to complete, with women, children and elderly people facing the greatest hardship. They said they waited for prolonged periods at Bagh, Dwa Thoye and Paindi Cheena registration points in harsh winter conditions without access to drinking water, food or healthcare services.
Long queues of vehicles were observed at both registration centres and security checkpoints, adding to congestion and delays. Several IDPs said that token distribution alone could take up to four hours, while security clearance stretched the process by another four to five hours, forcing some families to spend nights in the open.
Displaced persons warned that the situation could evolve into a humanitarian crisis if authorities failed to improve arrangements and provide essential support. Many complained that promised transportation allowances were delayed and that district officials issued “empty tokens” before releasing partial payments under pressure.
Some IDPs alleged that militant groups were restricting movement in certain parts of Tirah and preventing families from leaving, while law enforcement agencies were reportedly limiting the entry of food commodities to the area in an effort to accelerate evacuation. Transport shortages and rising fares further complicated the relocation effort.
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With no formal temporary shelters available, many families have taken refuge with relatives or rented small houses and shops near Bara Bazaar. Local political and business groups have urged the district administration and Provincial Disaster Management Authority to establish tent villages in Bara and Jamrud to accommodate the influx, with sources estimating that 450 to 500 families are arriving daily.