Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the current displacement in Tirah Valley is part of routine seasonal migration. He dismissed claims of a military operation, stressing the movement of families is voluntary. Thousands of residents have temporarily relocated due to harsh winter, moving to Bara and Peshawar.
Asif addressed the press in Islamabad, flanked by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and PM coordinator Ikhtiar Wali Khan. He said the federal government’s claim of routine migration is factual and misrepresentation claims are misleading. Residents typically migrate for four to six months while leaving a few behind for security purposes.
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The minister clarified that a jirga held in December, which included the banned TTP, negotiated a Rs4 billion migration package with the provincial government. He emphasized the army is not involved in this arrangement, and intelligence-based operations are preferred over full-scale military action. “There is no question of an operation in Tirah Valley,” Asif said.
Criticizing the provincial government, Asif noted the lack of hospitals, schools, police stations, and civilian law enforcement in the region. He said the federal government is beginning projects to build essential infrastructure to benefit local residents. He suggested the provincial government’s interests may be aligned with TTP exploitation of local resources.
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The minister urged citizens and media to verify the routine nature of the migration, emphasizing it has been ongoing for years. He concluded that reports of a crisis are exaggerated, and the federal government remains committed to security and development in Tirah Valley.