PESHAWAR: The tribal elders from the volatile Tirah valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have agreed to vacate their homes ahead of a planned military operation against militant groups. In this regard, within a 24-member jirga that led the talks, residents will begin leaving the valley from January 10, with the entire area expected to be vacated by January 25, 2026.
The evacuation is intended to facilitate a comprehensive security operation targeting all proscribed militant groups believed to be operating from the valley.
Furthermore, the agreement outlines compensation and relief measures for displaced families. So far, the government representatives have committed to paying Rs3 million to families whose houses are completely damaged during the operation and Rs1 million for partially damaged homes.
In addition, each registered family will receive Rs250,000 through mobile banking services after biometric verification at designated registration centres in Bagh Markaz and Paindi Cheena.
Moreover, the displaced families will also be provided a monthly stipend of Rs50,000 until April 5, 2026, when the return process is scheduled to begin following the completion of the military operation.
The district administration has further agreed to arrange free transportation for evacuees and ensure access to free health services during relocation.
Families that have already left the area will also be included in the displacement survey, provided the head of each household completes biometric registration by January 25, 2026.
The jirga had initially demanded higher compensation, including Rs8 million and Rs4 million for fully and partially damaged houses, respectively, along with Rs500,000 per family. However, these demands were revised after negotiations, with elders agreeing to the final terms due to time constraints and the urgency expressed by security officials.
Additionally, the jirga members said residents were deeply concerned about potential civilian casualties from artillery shelling and drone strikes, while security officials maintained that militants’ presence in residential areas had hindered intelligence-based operations.
Previous arrangements involving limited, short-term displacement during targeted operations failed to bring lasting relief, as militants repeatedly returned to cleared areas, prompting renewed operations.
“It is essential that the entire valley is vacated so security forces can operate without risking civilian lives,” a jirga member said, while stressing that residents expect assurances against future displacement once the operation concludes.
Meanwhile, political representatives, including MNA Iqbal Afridi, were not part of the talks. Mr Afridi later reiterated his opposition to military operations, arguing they have led to destruction and prolonged displacement without delivering lasting peace.
Last month, five militants linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were killed in an intelligence-based operation, while deadly explosions in September claimed the lives of at least two dozen residents, including women and children.
