KHYBER: About 50 displaced Kukikhel families were sent back to Rajgal and adjoining localities in Tirah valley from Jamrud as part of government’s plan to repatriate the remaining families to their homes.

These families were part of the total 2,041 families comprising 11,287 individuals, who would be repatriated to Thor Chappar area, as per the official notification on October 22 after a series of meetings between officials and a committee of protesting Kukikhel tribesmen.

Officials said that the 50 displaced families were residing in Ghundi, Sur Kamar and Shah Kas localities of Jamrud. They said that returning families were provided with non-food items and transportation charges.

Though there was no official figure available about exact number of remaining displaced families, Kukikhel elders had long been insisting that around 6,000 families were yet to go back to their homes for which they had been pressing authorities make arrangements for their early return.

Elders claim about 6,000 families need repatriation to their homes

With repeated appeals and pleadings falling on deaf ears, the enraged Kukikhels established a protest camp at Bhgyiarree checkpoint on August 21 and also blocked Peshawar-Torkham Highway, which hampered bilateral trade with neighbouring Afghanistan.

The government has also announced plans to send all remaining displaced families to Nakai, Chingai, Bakhtakhel, Babarr Kachkol, Kachkol, Thordara, Gharebai and Kharwalay localities from May 15, 2025.

Officials said that return of the remaining families was delayed till May next year due to harsh weather conditions in the region with snowfall starting in November, coupled with unbearable winds and rains.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Khan Afridi paid a visit to Jamrud on Tuesday and inaugurated Pakhtun cricket tournament, organised by the Kukikhel tribesmen, which also coincided with the return of the first batch of over 2,000 displaced families.

A large number of his fans and local elders welcomed him on his arrival at the hujra of Kukikhel elder Malak Naseer Ahmad in Ghundi area.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that he had brought along a message of peace to the region as only lasting peace could ensure development. He said that Khyber was his native district and he wished that all local disputes and problems were resolved on priority basis.

He said that he had no plan to join politics and would focus on development of tribal districts in his personal capacity and would also promote sports and education among tribal youth.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024