Operation to go on till objectives achieved: PM

[Naveed Yaseen]

Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday said that the army would remain in Swat and Malakand till the logical end of the operation and complete restoration of peace in these areas.

Chairing a special meeting at the Prime Minister’s House to review relief activities for the displaced people of Malakand, Gilani expressed satisfaction over the progress of the ongoing operation against the militants and terrorists, and said the operation would continue till its logical conclusion and the writ of the government would be restored at all costs.

The meeting was informed that Nadra has opened a dedicated window all over Pakistan for the registration of IDPs while National Bank of Pakistan and other banks would also open dedicated windows for providing them debit cards.

The meeting also discussed the modalities for the return of the displaced population to their abodes.

The meeting was informed that so far 2.8 million people have been displaced. During the first 14 days of the operation, the number of IDPs stood at 500,000 but after the announcement of cash assistance of Rs25,000 the momentum of IDP increased by 20 to 25 per cent as 1.7 million more were registered.

The prime minister directed the provincial government and the Special Support Group to ensure restoration of services in the affected areas and beef up security arrangements to facilitate their safe return.

The prime minister was apprised of the arrangements made for the provision of electricity, clean drinking water, fans and other basic necessities of life to the IDPs.

He directed Nadra to complete the registration of the IDPs as soon as possible so that the disbursement of cash to these families could commence.

He also directed the concerned authorities to make seamless arrangements to ensure uninterrupted supply of basic necessities without any delay. The prime minister underscored the need for timely provision of desert coolers, garbage removing facilities and medicines to these persons. He urged the international community to fulfil their pledges of assistance for the dislocated persons.

The prime minister praised the humanitarian gesture

of those who are hosting the IDPs and said that the whole nation

is united in meeting this challenge.

The meeting was informed that over 51,300 tents have been set up and 30,583 tons of food items have been distributed among the IDPs while over 300 tons of food has been sent to Swat and Malakand.

Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad, chairman Special Support Group for IDPs, secretary cabinet, secretary economic affairs division, secretary health and chief secretary NWFP attended the meeting.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=180181