PNN: The government has taken notice of “misleading claims” in circulation regarding alleged “depopulation” from Tirah Valley on the orders of the army, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement on Saturday.
These assertions are baseless, malicious, and driven by ulterior motives aimed at creating alarm among the public, disinformation against security institutions and furthering vested political interest, the statement said, adding that no directive has been issued for the depopulation of Tirah by the federal government and the Armed Forces.
The information ministry noted that the law enforcement agencies are routinely conducting targeted, intelligence-based operations strictly against terrorist elements, with full care to avoid disruption to peaceful civilian life for which no depopulation or migration is needed or being undertaken. It may be noted that the local population is increasingly concerned over presence of Khwarij and desire peace and stability in Tirah.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Government Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department has issued a notification for the release of funds on 26 Dec 2025 (reportedly Rs4 billion) for anticipated temporary and voluntary movement of population from certain localities of Tirah (Bagh), and has requested facilitation of advance preparedness and relief-related arrangements including transportation, food support, cash assistance, and establishment and management of transit and registration points, the statement read.
The document further stated that “deputy commissioner, Khyber has further conveyed that the proposed voluntary movement reflects the views and preferences of the local population, articulated through a representative jirga convened at the district level, taking into account seasonal, logistical and contextual considerations, as well as a non-camp-based modality”.
Hence any stated position of the provincial government or their officials being conveyed to media that the said migration has anything to do with the Armed Forces is false, and fabricated, given with malafide intent to gain political capital and unfortunately malign security institutions and therefore highly regrettable, the ministry said.