PESHAWAR: Though the provincial government has yet to announce an official date for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their homes, a plan has been chalked out to facilitate the uprooted people from Buner in the first phase.
Under the plan, the return of Buner IDPs will be completed in six days from the announcement of the official return date. Before the announcement, the IDPs will be informed through media about their return plan and points from where they could get the transport.
Official sources said the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) would be responsible for provision of transport to the returning people. A total of 3,000 vehicles would be hired to shift the families and their household to their respective areas in Buner district, sources said.
Officials said majority of the IDPs were presently stationed in different union councils of Swabi district and they would be given a timetable for their return from those areas. The ERU would spent an amount of Rs2,000 on the transportation of each family while separate arrangements would also be made to shift the livestock of those families to their respective areas.
According to official figures, a total of 31,062 people have been displaced from 24 union councils of Buner district. Specific points have been identified which will be finalised after getting a response from the district government of Swabi to be used as pick up points for the IDPs.
Sources said the return operation would last for six days. Initially, people living in Shewa union council of Swabi district would be repatriated to their respective areas. This would be followed by people in other areas in the next five days.
Under the plan, the government will hire 42-seater busses for six to seven families while a truck would carry luggage and cattle of two to three families. Each truck would be partitioned to carry both cattle and luggage of the IDP families.
Besides, small coasters will also be employed for shuttle service to pick the IDPs from camps and houses and drop them at the pick up points. Officials said shelter and drinking water would be provided to the returning families while their vehicles would be accompanied by ambulances and security personnel till their destination points.
Official sources said return of the IDPs would be voluntary and no one would be forced without genuine reasons. Although most of the IDPs are willing to return to their areas, some having problems like presence of trouble or non-availability of proper facilities there would not be forced to go, they said. The provincial government has yet to announce a date for the return of the displaced persons. Earlier, several dates were announced for the return, but the process has yet to be started.
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