Operation Against Islamist Militants Causes Massive Displacements in Pakistan | WPN World People News

As Pakistani forces target Islamist militants in the volitile northwest, the government faces a huge challenge to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people displaced because of the military operation.

The number of internally displaced people is now about half a million, and many complain about inadequate facilities at government camps as well as uncertainty about their future.

The military operation to crush the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and affiliated militant groups was launched after peace talks between Prime Minister Sharif's government and the TTP failed to produce results.

While the military claims the operation is being carried out successfully, the government is facing what many analysts call a humanitarian crisis.

Hundreds of thousands of people had to leave their homes in search of safer locations. The government has set up relief camps. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited a camp Friday to assure the people of the government's support for them.

"The government and military together are trying to ease your problems, and I am hopeful that soon, step by step, these difficulties will end," Sharif said.

But VOA's Deewa Service reported from the area that many people complain they find it difficult to get food and access to badly needed health facilities. There are also complaints that the use of force is causing loss of lives and property of innocent civilians.

"I did nothing wrong and still suffered a lot. Those responsible for terrorism have already fled the area but our houses and belongings are being destroyed," said one man.

The army said it gives enough advance notice for civilians to leave the area and takes maximum caution in making sure that only terrorists' hideouts are destroyed.

So many people are leaving the area that it takes days for them to reach their destinations.

"I have been on the road for two days and nights. There is no food to ear or anything to drink," one displaced person said.

Sharif announced financial assistance to these families for the month of Ramadan. International help from the United States and World Food Program is also pouring in to help ease the burden.

Analysts said while efforts like these may bring some relief to the people so badly affected by this crisis, the real solution will come if the security forces manage to crush the militancy that claims thousands of lives in Pakistan each year.

Source: Voice of America