Pakistan begins repatriation of North Waziristan IDPs

Pakistan on Tuesday started repatriation of hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced as the result of a major military offensive against the militants in North Waziristan tribal area.

The military launched the offensive in June last year after peace talks with the Taliban faced a deadlock.

According to an early estimate, some one million people had fled the war zone and most of the displaced lived in the city of Bannu, near North Waziristan, in a camp, with communities and rented houses. Many had been shifted to other cities.

A convoy of trucks left Bannu in the morning in the presence of military and civil administration officers for Mir Ali, a major town in North Waziristan.

"I am happy as I am returning home after nine months. Today is a good day in my life," Behruz khan, a resident of Spinwam village on departure.

A senior official of North Waziristan, Atif ur Rehman said the gov't will form teams to conduct survey of the damages of houses and shops.

"We have already carried out assessment of the damages caused to schools and hospitals and work has been started on their restoration," Rehman told the media in Bannu.

He said that the authorities have set up electricity and water supply schemes in the villages where IDPs have been sent in the first phase.

Security officials said that nearly 90 percent areas have been cleared of the Pakistani Taliban and foreign militants including main towns of Miranshah and Mir Ali.

The security forces have also strengthened their control over the region which had been under the control of several Taliban groups and their foreign hosts.

The army is cooperating with the local administration in the repatriation process which officials say can take one year to complete. Endi