Waziristan IDPs

PESHAWAR: Certain inhabitants of South Waziristan have complained that the government and the nation had ignored them despite the fact that they have been suffering due to the so-called ‘war against terror’ since June 2002. “We appreciate the gesture shown by the government and public while hosting the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Swat. But at the same time we question as to why we have been ignored even though we were displaced thrice from our hometowns?” complained Mushtaq Ahmad Wazir, the president of Wana Welfare Association (WaWA), through a letter sent to the top political leaders of the country, civil society organizations and media. It recalled how the South Waziristanis had been suffering since the first military operation in Wana on June 26, 2002. “We were accused of being supporters of terrorists. Our elders who tried to protest against the government were killed. The entire population was tortured by imposing restrictions on us,” the letter recalled. Another military operation was launched in the area, the letter reminded, in 2004 when jets were used for shelling and people were forced to move to safer places. “The people of Wana had never heard about kidnapping for ransom but Uzbeks and Chechens hiding in the area played havoc with the peace of the area since December 2004. They blew up schools, government offices, and kidnapped and killed local elders. The bazaars were looted, orchards of apples destroyed and houses were ruined,” it stated. The one-page letter in Urdu added that military operation was launched against the foreigners and their supporters once again in March 2007, forcing the people to flee for their lives. “Today tribesmen congratulate each other once a military convoy safely passes through their village. Shelling from the cannons and jets as well as drone attacks has become the order of the day,” narrated Mushtaq Wazir. The letter complained of suspension of power supply to the area for the past six months and closure of roads since long. The people have to reach the nearby Dera Ismail Khan via Zhob in Balochistan. The journey not only causes them severe fatigue but also costs Rs 1500 instead of Rs150 if undertaken by the old route from Wana to Dera Ismail Khan. “We appreciate how the government, the political parties, civil society organizations and media supported the IDPs from Swat. But we want to ask whether the people of Waziristan are not Pakistanis and Muslims? Don’t they need the basic requirements in their tents after being dislocated from their homes to secure their lives and loved ones?” it asked. The tribesmen complained that a team of psychiatrists and psychologists was immediately sent to treat the students of a school in Lahore after a blast in the area but on the other hand the government never did anything significant for 16,000 affected students of Wana. “We want the government and all concerned to take practical measures so that our coming generation does not suffer due to war, forced migration and drone attacks. Instead they should be given due rights of education, economic stability and peace,” the letter concluded by stressing upon the government and civil society to concentrate on promotion of education in Waziristan and rest of the country to permanently end their sufferings.