Tarar dismisses Tirah evacuation rumours as baseless, contrary to facts

KOT MOMIN, Jan 25 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday categorically denied rumours linking the evacuation of Tirah valley residents to security forces, describing the reports as baseless, fabricated and contrary to facts.
Speaking to media after offering condolences to senior journalist Aun Sherazi in Kot Momin, the minister said the government had taken serious notice of the matter and issued a clarification. He stressed that no forced evacuations were being carried out, and described the claims as misleading.
Referring to a notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Tarar said Rs 4 billion had been allocated for the rehabilitation of people voluntarily leaving Tirah Valley due to harsh weather conditions.
Deputy Commissioner Khyber also clarified that the provincial government had earmarked funds to meet relief needs in anticipation of a possible, temporary and voluntary movement of population from certain areas of the valley. He dismissed as unfounded the impression that security forces are compelling evacuations.
He said the relocation plan reflected the wishes of local residents, as conveyed through a representative jirga, and emphasized that intelligence-based operations were conducted strictly on credible information without causing inconvenience to citizens.
Responding to a question, Minister Tarar urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to focus on strengthening law and order by establishing a Safe City project, raising a dedicated Counter Crime and Detection (CCD) force, and setting up a forensic laboratory.
He further called for investment in health, education and the social sector to ensure meaningful development and relief for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Praising the province’s citizens as “brave and honourable,” the minister said they deserved the same facilities as those in other parts of the country. He advised provincial leaders to resolve public issues at home rather than staging protest calls elsewhere, noting that people were weary of repeated demonstrations and sought tangible improvements in basic amenities.
“The politics of protest has become obsolete,” Tarar remarked, adding that future electoral victories would be determined by performance and public service, not agitation.
Earlier, the minister visited the native area of senior journalist Aun Sherazi to offer condolences on the demise of his wife.
He expressed grief, prayed for the departed soul, and assured the bereaved family of his support. Sherazi, he noted, has earned recognition in journalism through his association with the National Press Club and other press forums.