No directive has been issued on the depopulation of Tirah by the federal government and the armed forces
ISLAMABAD:
The government has noticed “misleading allegations” in circulation regarding alleged “depopulation” from the Tirah Valley on the orders of the army, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement on Saturday.
These allegations are baseless, malicious and driven by ulterior motives aimed at creating alarm among the public, disinformation against security institutions and furthering vested political interests, the statement said, adding that no directive to depopulate Tirah has been issued by the federal government and the armed forces.
The Ministry of Information noted that the law enforcement agencies routinely conduct targeted, intelligence-based operations strictly against terrorist elements, with due care to avoid disruption of peaceful civilian life, for which there is no need for depopulation or migration. It can be noted that the local population is increasingly concerned about the presence of the Khwarij and wants peace and stability in Tirah.
The Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Department of Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement has issued a notification for release of funds on 26 December 2025 (reportedly Rs 4 billion) for anticipated temporary and voluntary relocation of population from certain localities in Tirah (Bagh), and has requested facilitation of advance food preparedness and relief, including transport, transit and emergency relief. and registration points, the statement said.
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”.
Therefore, any stated position of the provincial government or their officials being conveyed to the media that the said migration has anything to do with the armed forces is false and fabricated, given with ulterior motives to gain political capital and unfortunately malevolent security institutions and therefore highly deplorable, the ministry said.
