Pakistan says uprooted civilians in Swat can return home next week

Jul 9, 2009, 11:12 GMT

   Islamabad - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday announced that nearly 2 million people displaced by the military operation against the Taliban in the north-western region could start returning next week.

   'The displaced people will start going back from July 13 with honour. The special support group will finalize the strategy from today and will make a procedure for their return, security and other arrangements,' Gilani told reporters in Islamabad.

   However, the prime minister explained the military operation in Swat would not stop completely. 'There are some areas which need more military attention but the military action will be restricted to these areas.'

   Thousands of military and paramilitary troops launched a major offensive against Taliban militants in late April in north-western scenic valley of Swat and three neighbouring when they used a peace deal to expand their influence.

   According to the United Nations, the army assault displaced more than 1.9 million people.

   Around 85 per cent of these homeless are living with relatives or in rented houses across the country. The rest are staying in refugee camps and are taken care of by the Pakistani government, the UN agencies and non-government agencies.

   The troops regained control of much of the area from the Taliban after eight weeks of intense fighting, eliminating over 1,700 rebels. Some 150 soldiers died and more than 400 were injured in the clashes.

   Unknown number of surviving Taliban, including their local leader Maulana Fazlullah, have fled to the mountains and are expected to continue a low-scale resistance.

   'The way occasional terrorist actions take place in the other parts of the country, Swat is also a part of Pakistan, and some terrorist activities will also continue to occur there,' Gilani said, adding that the an army cantonment will be built there to ensure security in the area.

   The Swat operation enjoys vast public support and raised hope in Washington that Pakistan could effectively handle the problem of extremism and terrorism.