Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that there is no military operation in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata); however, targeted surgical strikes against terrorists are under way. The Interior Minister expressed these views while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Friday.
He said there is zero collateral damage in surgical strikes. He said that any plan for military operation in Fata will be chalked out after holding consultations with relevant stakeholders. He said if we took any decision to launch military operation in Fata it would take two to three weeks.
Responding to concerns raised by the members about Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Nisar said that their number is limited. However, he said that a Committee has been constituted under the Minster of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and Interior Ministry for this purpose--FATA Secretariat and Secretariat of the Governor would support it.
Nisar said that Pakistan Army has also framed an initial plan, which would be presented to the government. He said that during his Thursday visit to Peshawar, he also held meetings with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K.P) governor, the Chief Minister and discussed the issue. He said that some people are personally leaving their homes and shifting their relatives. He said the government has also informed Army Chief General Raheel Sharif about the issue of IDPs. He said that a sufficient amount of fund has been allocated for rehabilitation of IDPs. He said a policy would be framed within 3-4 days for rehabilitation of IDPs. Earlier, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed expressed serious concern over the IDPs and said the government should take immediate steps for rehabilitation of these people. Dr Arif Alvi of PTI also showed concern about IDPs and said the government should make arrangements for their rehabilitation to decrease their resentment.