January 27, 2026
By Islam Gul Afridi
KHYBER
A statement issued by the federal government regarding the ongoing displacement from Tirah Valley has triggered a new wave of disappointment and anger among thousands of families who have been displaced from their homes for an impending military operation.
The federal government has distanced itself from the evacuation process, with claims that neither the army nor any other state institution has issued any directive for this evacuation of the local families, however, ground realities appear to contradict this assertion.
According to a post on X on Sunday, the Ministry of Information said, “The government has taken notice of misleading claims in circulation regarding alleged evacuation from Tirah Valley on army orders. These assertions are baseless, malicious, and driven by ulterior motives aimed at creating alarm among the public. No directive has been issued for the depopulation of Tirah by the federal government and the armed forces. Security operations are being conducted in specific areas based on intelligence, and protection of the civilian population is being given top priority. Some families have left the area of their own accord in view of security concerns, however, the government and security agencies are trying to facilitate citizens in continuing their normal lives while staying in their homes.”
What do the ground realities say?
This federal government statement has come at a time when the displacement of locals from the Tirah Valley has been ongoing since late November last year. The formal registration process for displaced families did not begin before January 5, and so far 9,000 families have been registered while tokens have been issued to over 30,000 families. Even today, the registration process for families continues at various locations in Bara for people displaced from Tirah.
IDPs question statement by federal govt
Zakir Ullah, displaced from Tirah, expressed severe disappointment at the federal government’s statement.
“This statement is extremely disappointing because we were evicted from our homes according to their directives and orders. In Tirah’s major commercial centers, Larbagh and Peermela, announcements were made to immediately close shops and transfer goods to other areas. We evacuated on the instructions of the 24-member committee consisting of elders from our area. This committee told us that a formal agreement had been reached with security officials and the evacuation period was set from January 5 to January 25.”
He points out that people have been suffering and even lives were lost during this time.
“Thousands have been evicted from their homes in this severe cold, and throughout this entire process, people have suffered loss of life and property,” he said, “There should be a clear outcome to this entire situation, and until the affected families are fully satisfied, we are not ready to return.”
KP govt rejects federal govt statement
To complicate matters further, the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has given a different stance.
Member of the Provincial Assembly, Abdul Ghani Afridi, categorically rejected the central government’s statement.
“The displacement from Tirah Valley was initiated under an agreement reached with the 24-member committee. We will soon convene a jirga consisting of Tirah’s 24-member committee and elders in which this agreement will be presented to the nation, under which local people had to be evicted from their areas.”
Afridi, referred to the unanimous decision of 15 political parties of K at the Chief Minister’s House.
“In that meeting, it was stated that military operation was not the solution to any problem and issues should be resolved through dialogue,” The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has repeatedly said that operation is not the solution to problems.”
He stated that in the next day or two, the 24-member committee will present this agreement to the nation through a press conference, under which people were evicted from Tirah Valley.
Call to stop displacement
A social activist from Tirah Valley, Noor Haleem has voiced his concern over the situation.
“Large protest demonstrations were held in the area against the ongoing unrest and displacement, yet despite this, people were formally asked to evacuate under an agreement. If the federal government’s statement regarding displacement is correct, then this is a welcome development and the displacement process should be stopped immediately and arrangements should be made for the immediate return of displaced persons,” he said. “The people who have been displaced are confused and worried. Hopefully the statement given is true and we do not have to leave. In this case, arrangements for the return of displaced people should be made within a few days and the return process should be started immediately so that more people do not leave.”
Former federal minister and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Hameedullah Jan Afridi also took note of the situation.
“Thousands of families displaced from Tirah have not received any substantial relief from the provincial government, nor do they have adequate arrangements. Families who evacuated faced many problems during travel and many people lost their lives.”
He demanded that the early return of all people from Tirah Valley be made possible and more people be prevented from leaving. All tribal people, especially the people of Khyber District, cannot bear to be displaced again. The damages that occurred earlier had not yet been addressed when they were forced to leave their homes again.
Historical background
In 2021, activities of armed groups resumed in Tirah Valley. The local population suffered heavy loss of life and property in clashes between security forces and armed groups. Evacuation was demanded for a military operation to establish peace in the area, however, the area’s elders and local population refused to evacuate again.
The ruling party in the province, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, also strongly opposed displacement and military operation. However, to control the damage being done to ordinary people, an agreement containing more than thirty points was reached in December last year between the 24-member committee consisting of local elders and security officials.
Currently, due to unrest and a possible military operation, the displacement process is ongoing from Tirah Valley in Khyber District as well as from Central Kurram. As a result, displaced persons are suffering hardships due to severe cold and limited facilities. So far, seven and a half thousand families from Tirah and over fourteen thousand families from Central Kurram have been registered.
The displacement process from the valley has been affected due to severe cold and snowfall, and a large number of families have remained trapped in their homes due to road closures. According to district officials, twenty percent of people in Tirah Valley and fifty percent in Central Kurram are still present in the valley.
A test for the 24-member committee
After the statement issued by the federal government, it was expected that the 24-member committee of Tirah elders would present their position regarding the agreement reached with security officials. However, according to sources, the committee’s meeting last night ended late without any conclusion. According to sources, another meeting of committee members is being held today.
At present, the biggest test has begun for the 24-member committee. The committee now has to decide whether it will bring the details of the agreement reached with security officials before the public or remain silent. Thousands of displaced families are anxiously awaiting this decision.