ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (APP): Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik Thursday assured compensation and rehabilitation for the affected people in tribal areas in wake of sabotage activities and action against terrorists. “The Prime Minister has sanctioned Rs 1.2 billion for reconstruction, rehabilitation and payment of compensation to affected people,” he informed the Senate, winding up debate on law and order situation in Swat.

Malik said, houses would be reconstructed for the affected people and those who would desire compensation in cash, they would be paid accordingly.

“We have also invited donors to help us out and two friendly Middle East countries have extended us their support for rehabilitation,” he said.

Malik said the situation is improving in tribal areas after strategy shift and re-energizing the forces in Swat.

“This strategy shift helped us to control Mangora and some important pockets. I cannot not reveal this strategy shift now, but only in an in-camera session,” he said.

He offered the extremists to lay off arms and join the mainstream and said, “we are effectively pursuing Prime Minister’s 3D strategy of ‘dialogue, development and deterrence’ and we shall continue with this policy.”

He said during the course of action, half a million people were displaced, out of whom only 64,000 are still awaiting rehabilitation.

Malik said, compensation would be paid to families for life and property losses and in addition Rs. 8.5 billion are being spent on development of FATA.

He said the time has come that Afghan refugees should leave to their country as we still host five million (official and unofficial) Afghans.  “We have done enough hospitality. It is time for them to go back.”

Giving details of the losses in wake of terrorists activities, Malik said, 1200 civilian have been killed and 2000 injured in terrorist activities, 189 law enforcers were killed and 459 injured, 500 girls schools, 123 government schools, 51 boys schools, 80 video centres, 30 BHUs and 21 barber shops were destroyed by terrorists.

“The combine figure of life losses in their actions, is much bigger than 9/11. It is serious, it is blood of our people. Let us not play politics on this issue, it is matter of our survival,” he said.

“What service they were doing to the people and the country. Can we leave our people on their mercy. Of course not, we need to protect our people and flush the extremists out,” he added.

He said TTP, Al-Qaeda and Tanzeem-e-Islami have been supporting Taliban in Swat and the suicide bomber were provided to Swat Taliban by Qari Hussain group from Waziristan, under an agreement.

He said the terrorists had adopted a unique method of fund raising and tens of people were kidnapped for ransom, including foreigners and local investors, to buy weapons and continue sabotage activities.

Acknowledging the unity shown by the political leadership and workers of the PPP, JUI factions, JI and ANP, Malik said “I salute the workers and political leadership for extending support in action against terrorists and the Indian postures after Mumbai incident.”

“I must state here that national unity shown by all political parties made the world community accept our stance on Mumbai incident,” Interior Advisor said.

Recalling the past, Malik said the trouble ignited in 2002 and the situation deteriorated when dozens of people were killed in sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency and Parachinar, Kohat Tunnel was blocked in Adamkhel, terrorists tried to disrupt peace in Peshawar and Molvi Wali took charge in Mamund Agency, challenging the writ of the government.

“But we took action against them and in Bajaur, we arrested dozens of Afghan Taliban, Uzbek and Chechen nationals from there and succeeded to retake about 98 percent control of the area,” Rehman Malik told the House.

He said that according to a survey conducted by a well-known organization, 90 percent people interviewed, stated that Taliban were doing no service to Islam, 91 percent opposed their method to implement Islamic laws, 86 percent described the political parties the true representative of people and 95 percent supported the female students attending schools.

He told the House that the situation is improving by the day and one can see remarkable difference between the situation during last six years and that after this government came to rein.

Advisor to Prime Minister informed the House that the action against militants would continue until the extremists and militants surrender or leave this area.         

He appealed the media to black out extremists and not to glorify them.

“They are enemies of the country. National security and unity are supreme. I am not against any media organization, but request them to ignore extremists as this is the way to move forward,” he said.

Later, the interior advisor also requested the betrayed people of terrorist outfits to mend their ways and hoped that “situation in Swat would be resolved soon and we would soon get deliverance from terrorists.”