April 11, 2026
By Islam Gul
KHYBER
Abdul Baqi and his eight family members are living in caves along the edge of a seasonal stream near the Hasara area, close to Bara. In early January, like thousands of others, they left their home for the second time in anticipation of a possible military operation in Tirah Valley. He recalls that back in the valley they had their own home, agricultural land, and access to all basic amenities — but where they shelter now is someone else’s land, and that person can evict them at any moment.
Families like Abdul Baqi’s are among thousands still enduring the ordeal of displacement, even as the deadline for their return — stipulated under a formal agreement — has already passed.
The agreement and Its promises
In late December last year, a 37-point agreement was reached between a 24-member representative committee of local elders, district administration officials, and security authorities regarding the displacement from Tirah Valley. Under the agreement, evacuation was to be completed between January 5 and 25, with the return process set to begin on April 10.
However, Sahbat Khan Afridi, spokesman for the Tahreek-e-Mutasareen Tirah (affectees’ movement), says that heavy snowfall blocked the routes for five days, causing delays in the evacuation process — pushing the return date from April 10 to April 15. He added that promises made to the displaced families have yet to be fulfilled, leaving people in severe hardship.
Protests and demands
The Tehreek-e-Mutasareen Tirah has maintained a protest camp in front of the Bara Press Club for the past two months. Sahbat Khan Afridi stated that their foremost demand is the immediate return of displaced families to their homes, warning that houses, markets, forests, and agricultural land in the valley are being destroyed in their absence.
He further revealed that recent heavy rains caused partial or complete damage to several homes in Tirah Valley. There are also reports that contractors working on ongoing development projects in the area are damaging local residents’ properties and stealing construction materials. Afridi noted that while the movement’s efforts have significantly reduced illegal logging, reports of commercial centres being ransacked and goods being damaged remain deeply alarming.
He also disclosed that representatives of the movement presented their demands at the Chief Minister’s House, following an invitation extended by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s brother, and that a meeting with the Chief Minister himself has been assured in the near future.
No final date yet for return: tribal committee
Maulana Izzat Ullah Hamkhiyal, an active member of the 24-member committee and a leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), said it would be premature to announce a final return date. He indicated that in an upcoming meeting with the Chief Secretary, the issue of return would be discussed alongside other outstanding matters, and that the outcome would be shared publicly.
He acknowledged that the grievances of the displaced are legitimate and deserving of attention, as these people are going through genuine hardship. He expressed cautious optimism, saying that the government continues to implement the agreement and that matters are moving in the right direction — though he conceded that some measures have been delayed. He added that if progress stalls, the committee has a contingency plan ready.
Financial assistance falling short on the ground
According to Muhammad Fawad, Deputy Director of Operations at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), a total of 33,833 families displaced from Tirah Valley have been registered to date. Around 15,000 families have been disbursed Rs. 240,000 each, amounting to over Rs. 3.5 billion in total. He added that affectees are entitled to a monthly stipend of Rs. 35,000 for two months, along with Rs. 25,000 upon their return. He also denied reports of a Rs. 10,000 deduction, clarifying that it is part of a pre-agreed procedure.
Ground realities, however, tell a different story. Despite two months having elapsed, not a single displaced family has received the monthly stipend, while a large number of affectees continue to report non-receipt of the Rs. 240,000 lump-sum payment as well.
Registration bottlenecks persist
According to PDMA, the responsibility for issuing registration tokens, covering transport costs, and providing food lay with the district authorities. Since August last year, the registration procedure was revised, with NADRA taking over registration and immediate verification. The data is then forwarded by PDMA to district authorities, where a final verification process is carried out before the list of eligible beneficiaries is compiled.
A significant complication in Tirah has been the issue of dual residency — families registered at two different addresses. A large number of people from lowland areas came forward for registration with CNICs listing addresses in Landi Kotal, Bara, Peshawar, or other districts; such individuals are not eligible for registration. Despite Tirah having been granted sub-tehsil status, NADRA’s system and the administrative framework remain outdated. Polio vaccination data and the 24-member committee are also being consulted to assist with verification, but the problems persist.
Regarding the Tirah Aka Khel tribe specifically, officials confirmed that their registration process was initiated but has since been temporarily suspended, with its resumption contingent on directives from district administration and security forces.
District authorities remain silent
Repeated attempts were made to obtain the district authorities’ response regarding the problems faced by displaced families and the prospects for
beginning the return process — but no reply was received.