The protest by displaced families from Tirah Valley has entered its 150th consecutive day outside the Bara Press Club, with demonstrators continuing to demand an immediate government plan for their safe, dignified return and long-term rehabilitation.
Leaders of the Tirah Affectees Movement, including Chairman Rahmat Shah Afridi, Spokesman Sohbat Khan Afridi, and Minhaj Afridi, said thousands of displaced families continue to face serious hardships in Peshawar and other areas. They highlighted ongoing challenges related to registration, shelter, financial assistance, and compensation for families who lost loved ones or suffered injuries during the displacement.
The protesters urged the government to implement a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy that includes proper registration of all displaced persons, transparent disclosure of evacuation agreements, timely release of promised financial aid, restoration of peace in Tirah Valley, and greater involvement of local communities in future development projects.
Among their key demands are compensation for damaged homes and businesses, special relief packages for traders and educational institutions, interest-free loans, reconstruction of schools, protection of local markets, and free education for students affected by the displacement.
The protesters warned that if the government fails to announce a concrete rehabilitation plan within the next two months, they will expand their protest movement across the region.
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Izzatullah Humayun Afridi, a member of the 24-member Tirah Valley committee, said discussions with government and military officials were continuing through jirgas. He expressed hope that an important announcement regarding the return of displaced families could be made during a scheduled jirga on July 10.
According to committee members, authorities are considering key demands, including the dignified return of displaced people and the distribution of previously announced financial assistance. A special verification centre is also expected to be established in Bara to register families left out of the earlier registration process, allowing them to receive financial support through newly issued SIM cards.
The prolonged displacement has also severely disrupted education in Tirah Valley. Official figures show that thousands of children remain out of school, while many private educational institutions remain non-operational. Education officials say efforts are underway to enroll displaced students in schools across Bara and reduce their academic losses.
The ongoing sit-in highlights the continued humanitarian challenges faced by displaced families and underscores the urgent need for a sustainable rehabilitation plan that addresses housing, education, livelihoods, and long-term stability in Tirah Valley.
