January 20, 2026
By Islam Gul Afridi
KHYBER
It is cold and very early in the morning, but still long queues of people stand outside the centre in Bara, District Khyber, where displaced families belonging from the Tirah Valley are receiving cash payments to cover for their transportation costs.
Government officials have issued clear instructions that only those with complete verified registration forms will be allowed inside. Those with incomplete paperwork are being directed to complete all procedures at centres established in their respective areas.
Registration begins amid persistent problems
The formal registration process for those relocating from Tirah Valley began on January 5, yet from day one until now, displaced persons have faced difficulties at every stage—from registration to obtaining financial assistance.
The affected people say that the government’s opening of additional centres had raised hopes that their problems would be reduced, but no significant improvement is visible in the situation. To ease the burden, separate centres were established on January 19 for all tribes in their respective areas near Bara Bazaar, as the registration centre at Painda Cheena—60 kilometers from Bara—had become overcrowded. However, protest demonstrations took place outside all centres yesterday and today.
Tales of suffering
Zar Wali Khan, a resident of Barqambar Khel in Tirah Valley, explained: “I relocated from Tirah with my family on Friday. When I went to the Painda Cheena centre, I was told that NADRA’s office is closed today and verification is not possible.”
He continued: “I came straight to Bara and have been coming to the centre established for obtaining transportation costs for two days now. However, officials told me that your token does not have NADRA’s verification stamp, therefore you are not eligible to receive the transportation money. The displaced people from Tirah are being humiliated by being sent from one place to another.”
Road blockades and ongoing protests
The relocation process started on January 5, but due to a new problem emerging every day, people block the highways leading to Tirah and other roads in protest. Today as well, roads were blocked in protest outside centres established in various areas of Bara.
Govt promises not being implemented: local leader
Local political leadership is also working to reduce people’s problems and is criticizing the provincial government. Sher Shah Afridi, a local leader of the People’s Party, was present at the road blocked by protesters at Dogra.
Sher Shah Afridi said: “The problems of displaced persons have increased significantly because the promises the government made regarding relocation are not being implemented. Instead of the actual victims from Tirah, facilities and benefits are being provided to people who have come from other areas.” He demanded: “The provincial government should take practical steps to resolve the problems people are facing.”
CM’s visit and directives
To resolve the problems encountered during the relocation process, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited centres established in the area twice and issued directives to provide people with all possible facilities. However, despite this, people continue to face various kinds of problems.
Fake tokens: the biggest problem
The ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf faces severe criticism due to obstacles in the relocation process. Elected representatives from the area say that a large number of people coming for registration from other areas instead of actual victims is causing an increase in problems.
Member of the Provincial Assembly from the area, Abdul Ghani Afridi, stated: “The Chief Minister himself came and listened to the problems of displaced people and also issued orders for their resolution, but the biggest problem is fake tokens. That is, instead of Tirah victims, people from other areas are coming in large numbers to obtain financial assistance, which is creating problems.”
New procedure for transparency
Abdul Ghani Afridi further said: “It has been decided to make this process transparent. According to polio vaccination statistics in the area, nineteen thousand families are present in Tirah Valley, and their lists will be displayed at every centre and will also be verified by NADRA.” He appealed to people from other areas: “In the registration process, give priority to families displaced from Tirah first so that their problems can be reduced.”
30,000 families issued tokens
According to district authorities, tokens have been issued to more than thirty thousand families displaced from Tirah, of which all procedures have been completed for 7,500 families.