Authorities in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have begun preparations for a large-scale security operation in the Tirah Valley, a mountainous region in Khyber district near the Afghan border. As part of these preparations, the relocation of local residents will formally begin on 10 January, according to district administration officials.
The move marks the latest chapter in a long history of military operations and civilian displacement in Pakistan’s former tribal areas. Officials say the evacuation is necessary to ensure civilian safety during an operation targeting militant groups operating in the area.
Registration Process Already Underway
The registration of families from the Maidan Malik Din Khel area of Tirah Valley has been ongoing for the past three days. A special registration center has been established in the Paindi Cheena area, where affected families are being officially documented.
District administration sources confirmed that more than 2,500 families have already been registered. Of these, 176 families have completed verification and clearance procedures through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and other relevant departments.
These families have already received initial financial assistance. Each household was given 250,000 Pakistani rupees as advance support to help manage the immediate costs of relocation.
Officials said the registration process is continuing, and advance payments are also being disbursed to other registered families in phases.
Evacuation Schedule and Financial Assistance
According to the official schedule, the formal evacuation process will begin on 10 January and continue until 25 January. During this period, families will be free to relocate to locations of their own choosing.
Each displaced family will receive an advance payment of 250,000 rupees. In addition, households will be given a monthly allowance of 50,000 rupees for the duration of their displacement.
Authorities say this financial support is intended to allow families to arrange housing independently, rather than staying in government-run camps. This approach has increasingly been used in recent years to give displaced people more flexibility and dignity.
Timeline for the Security Operation
District officials stated that the counter-terrorism operation in Tirah Valley is expected to be completed within two months. The region has remained sensitive due to its difficult terrain and past militant activity.
Once the operation is concluded, the process of return and rehabilitation will begin on 5 April. Officials said arrangements are already being planned to facilitate the safe and organised return of displaced families.
The administration has emphasized that civilian safety remains the top priority during the operation.
Compensation for Damaged Homes
Authorities also announced compensation packages for homes damaged during the operation. According to officials, the total population of the Maidan area of Tirah Valley is approximately 130,000 people.
Families whose homes are completely destroyed will receive compensation of 3 million rupees. Those whose houses are partially damaged will be paid 1 million rupees.
Such compensation schemes have been used in previous operations across the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which were merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2018.
Broader Context of Displacement in the Region
Tirah Valley has witnessed multiple waves of displacement over the past two decades. Military operations against militant groups have forced tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes at different times.
According to government estimates, millions of people across northwestern Pakistan have been temporarily displaced since 2001 due to security operations. While many have returned, challenges related to infrastructure, livelihoods, and long-term stability persist.
For residents of Tirah Valley, the coming weeks will once again bring uncertainty. However, authorities insist that the operation is necessary to restore lasting peace and allow normal life to resume in the area.
As evacuations begin, attention will remain focused on how effectively assistance is delivered and how quickly displaced families can safely return home.
