BANNU: Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said here on Monday that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) had left their homes for sake of the country and the entire nation stood with them in this hour of trials and tribulations.
He said durable peace would return to the country after success of the operation in NWA.
He was addressing IDPs here after reaching on a brief visit to appraise the government arrangements made for assistance of the IDPs.
The Chief Minister announced establishment of a hospital, technological college and girls college in NWA and relief package for the IDPs.
He said government was well aware about the problems of the IDPs and would utilize all available resources for their assistance, rehabilitation and dignified resettlement.
Shahbaz Sharif said leaving native homes in this scorching heat was not an easy task and reaffirmed government strong determination and resolve to facilitate IDPs besides ensuring their dignified returns to their native homes after establishment of peace in the agency.
The government would continue support till resettlement of the last IDP, he added.
He said that the entire nation supports ongoing operation "Zarb-e-Azb", adding it was in fact a war for the survival and protection of the country.
The terrorists had paralyzed life through their unlawful activities in the country and there was no way except to launch a major operation to flush them out, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif lauded the sacrifices of brave soldiers for the defence of the country.
He was of the view that action initiated by the Pakistan Army would make the country peaceful and durable peace would return to restive North Waziristan Agency soon.
Governor KPK Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Prime Minister, Advisor, Engr Amir Muqam and Commissionar Bannu Syed Mohsin Ali Shah also accompanied the Chief Minister. Earlier, he was informed that number of IDPs has mounted to about 900,000, with nearly 5000 were registered in Peshawar.
Soon after his arrival in the city, Shahbaz Sharif was briefed about the activities in IDP camps and facilities being provided there. He also met with the displaced people to ascertain their problems.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan said that the operation Zarb-e-Azb was aimed at bringing permanent peace in the country including tribal areas.
He said the government tried its level best to resolve the issue of militancy through dialogue but had to take the decision for launching "Zarb-e-Azb" after failure of dialogue process.
He said government first opted to use dialogue for peaceful settlement of the militancy issue but the militants did not reciprocated to the government positive gesture adding that there was no option left but to use force for establishment of government writ and protection of lives and properties of people. He said peace in NWA would be established at all cost.
He appreciated the cooperation and relief provided by the Punjab government and its people for IDPs.
Comments
Comments are closed.