Pakistan : Tens of thousands displaced by army operations against insurgent groups
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)
Website: http://www.internal-displacement.org
Army operations targeting insurgent groups in Waziristan and Balochistan are the main causes of conflict-induced displacement in Pakistan today. There is no official information on the number of people displaced and access of journalists and aid workers to the affected areas is tightly restricted. But best estimates from the media and aid agencies are that at the very least many tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in both areas, though most of these will have returned home within a matter of weeks.
In Balochistan, the fighting has been between tribal rebels and the army. Apart from longstanding demands for increased political autonomy, development projects are fuelling the current conflict in Balochistan as the local population demands increased control over and more benefits from the exploitation of natural resources. The current unrest started in 2003 and has intensified during 2005 and 2006, bringing 40,000 army troops to the region to fight local militant groups. Estimates of the number displaced at its peak are as high as 200,000.
In Waziristan, a government-led operation started in March 2004 against militants connected to Taleban and al-Qaeda hiding on the Pakistan side of the border. Since then, search operations and fighting between rebel groups and the army have displaced an unknown number of civilians. As many as 80,000 army troops are deployed along the border with Afghanistan. The presidents of the two countries swap accusations of not doing enough to prevent Taleban and al-Qaeda activities along the border.
Despite the large numbers displaced due to the conflicts, humanitarian aid from outsiders has been rejected so far. As no one is allowed in to assess the situation in the conflict-affected areas, it is not possible to verify the little information that has trickled out about the displaced populations. However, both national and international actors must insist that the conflict-affected populations be granted basic assistance and protection during displacement, as well as a safe and voluntary return to their homes when the situation permits.
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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
