Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The repatriation process of Mulakhel internally displaced persons (IDPs) has kicked off, almost a decade after their displacement due to a military operation against militants in the region, officials and locals said.

At least 930 families left for their hometowns in Orakzai tribal district on the second consecutive day following the start of the repatriation process of the displaced families. The IDPs would return to at least 25 villages of Orakzai tribal district after spending almost 10 long years in displacement, said Haider Hussain, assistant commissioner of the region. Within two days, at least 1,864 families have returned to Mulakhel village of Orakzai tribal region, he said. Stringent security is being provided to the returning families, he said, adding that a check post has been established to ensure protection and guidance to the returning families. The process of repatriation will last till October 26. Back in 2010, Pakistan Army had launched an operation against militants in the region, displacing around 34,000 families, of which 22,000 families had later returned to the area.

Published in Daily Times, October 23^rd 2018.