Governor KP Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Federal Ministers for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid and Federal Minister for SAFRON Abdul Qadar Baluch, Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani were also present. The Prime Minister said the government had decided to increase for the IDPs the monthly cash compensation from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000 per month including Rs 3,000 for the monthly house rent and Rs 5,000 for non-food items. However, the IDPs would be given Rs 40,000 as cash compensation during the month of Ramazan which included a Rs 20,000 'Ramazan package'.
The Prime Minister told the IDPs that he was aware of their difficulties and sentiments. He said that he was confident that this problem would be solved anytime soon and the IDPs would return to their homes with honour and dignity. The Prime Minister said his government was well aware of the problems of dislocated people of NWA and reaffirmed his government's commitment to utilise all the available resources for provision of speedy assistance, rehabilitation and early resettlement in their houses.
The Prime Minister said the IDPs were passing through a difficult time and their sacrifices would not go waste. The Prime Minister said the government was working day and night to provide all the basic amenities of life to displaced people to lessen their woes.
The government and Army, he said, were working together 24/7 with the prime objective to provide comforts and relief to their tribal brethren. Nawaz Sharif said the IDPs would be helped in the reconstruction phase once the situation had improved in NWA. He said a survey would be carried out to assess the damages to houses and other infrastructure soon after completion of the operation.
He said the government would repair and improve the basic infrastructure including roads, health, clean drinking water facilities, schools and hospitals etc once law and order situation improved in the area. Nawaz Sharif said the rebuilding and reconstruction phase in North Waziristan will not only generate employment opportunities for tribal people but would open up areas for trade and investment. It would alleviate poverty. He said the government was left with no option but to launch a massive military operation, after the failure of peace talks to restore its writ and protect the lives and properties of the people.
The Prime Minister said he held a detailed meeting with Governor and Chief Minister of KP besides Army officials to review arrangements for the IDPs. He prayed to Allah Almighty to help the government in its efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism to bring peace to North Waziristan. He said peace is vital for progress and development of Pakistan. With prayers of IDPs, he said, peace will soon prevail in North Waziristan Agency.
He said effective arrangements had been made for the provision of fodder and shelter to livestock brought by the IDPs. He lauded Pakistan Army, CoAS and other departments for extending full support to IDPs. In addition to medicines, he said doctors and paramedics had arrived in sufficient numbers to treat and vaccinate their brethrens. Later, the Prime Minister distributed relief goods and food packages among the IDPs. He also shook hands with the IDPs and inquired about their well being.
Earlier, upon arrival at Bannu to personally observe arrangements made by the Federal and Provincial governments for IDPs, the Prime Minister was received by CoAS General Raheel Sharif and Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani. The IDPs on this occasion highly appreciated the announcement of the Prime Minister for increasing the relief package to Rs 40,000 for Ramazan.