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NWFP governor concerned over Sindh’s ‘ban’ on IDPs

Being citizens of Pakistan, they can reside everywhere and the provincial govt cannot ban the movement: Owais Ghani.—APP

PESHAWAR: Expressing concern over the Sindh government’s reported decision of banning entry of internally displaced persons in the province, NWFP Governor Awais Ahmad Ghani has said the federal government has taken up the matter with the provincial government authorities.

‘Yes, the matter is being discussed between the centre and the Sindh government and it will be over soon,’ said Mr Ghani, while responding to a question during his visit to the Emergency Response Unit here on Saturday.Being citizens of Pakistan, they (IDPs) could reside everywhere in the country and the provincial government could not ban the movement of people, he said.The governor did not offer comments when a reporter asked if a new governor was being appointed in the province. He replied with a smile: ‘Actually, the media want hot topics for talk shows.’
 
When asked about timeframe for the military operation in the Malakand region, he said timeframe could not be given for completion of the operation, but the government wanted to end the offensive in minimum period.He claimed that security forces had achieved major achievements in the operation and hoped that the IDPs would go back to their homes soon.He said a major challenge for the government was revival of the district administration and economic activities in the conflict-hit areas.

He maintained that the nation was supporting the strong commitment of the government to purge the country of militants, adding the Malakand operation would continue till complete elimination of militancy.About his visit to the ERU, the governor expressed satisfaction over the performance of the unit saying the whole affair was transparent.

He said he found financial as well as administrative transparency in the working of the ERU. He said the government was also working on a rehabilitation plan for IDPs after their return to their homes and in this regard verification of displaced persons had been started.
 
In this regard, he added, the government had sought the help of Nadra. About providing help to those stranded in Mingora and upper Swat areas, Mr Ghani said the army was taking measures for rescue of the stranded people and 100 trucks of relief goods had been sent to Khawazakhela for distribution among stranded people of Swat.

DAWN:Thursday,May 24, 2009