PESHAWAR, Feb 7: Federal Minister for Information Sherry Rehman has directed the NWFP government to make estimates regarding facilities needed at the Kacha Ghari camp, set up for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and send it to the federal government.

During her visit on Saturday to the Kacha Ghari camp, housing IDPs from Bajaur and Mohmand tribal regions, the federal minister assured the inmates of her help in provision of facilities at the camp.

Talking to journalists on the occasion, Sherry Rehman said that the government was committed to provide protection, shelter and other basic facilities of life like education, schooling, washrooms and clean drinking water in the camps.

“It is our responsibility to provide a comprehensive welfare package to these people,” she said, adding that although it was not an easy task yet it was being done.

She asked the relief commissioner and Nadra general manager to expedite the process of female registration at the camp so as to ensure financial support to them under Benazir Income Support Programme.

Earlier, Jamaluddin, administrator at Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees, which is managing the IDPs camps, during a briefing to the federal minister about facilities at the camp said that 2,392 families of Mohmand and Bajaur tribal agencies were living in the camp and the total number of displaced persons was 16,227.He said that water tanks, washrooms and community kitchens facilities were being provided to the inmates of the camp besides proving them blankets, flour, ghee, and pulses on monthly basis in collaboration with World Food Programme and education with the assistance of Unicef. He said that their basic problem was shortage of fuel.

She said the government was responsible to provide moral, economic and political support to the people affected by militancy. “People, Khasadars, police and other law enforcement agencies have rendered great sacrifices,” the minister said.

She told journalists that morale of the IDPs was high and they recognised the efforts of the government.

To a question, she said that PPP government was an elected one and the political solution to the problem of militancy was its top priority. She said that government would always give priority to dialogue and negotiations but restoration of government’s writ was indispensable for the security of the citizens.

She dispelled the impression that the IDPs of Swat were being neglected and said that camps were being set up at Miadam, Malakand and other areas to facilitate the displaced persons.

The minister appreciated efforts of the provincial government for facilitating IDPs. She said that since it was humanitarian problem of large proportion the government would seek help of foreign donor agencies to ensure basic facilities for the IDPs at the camps.

She said that the government’s policy was crystal clear on the war against terror and sustainable peace in the restive areas was the priority of the government.