PESHAWAR: Tensions flared between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments on Sunday over the displacement of residents from the Tirah Valley, with both sides blaming each other amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the snow-hit tribal district.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal categorically denied that the centre had ordered any evacuation from Tirah, accusing the KP government of mismanagement and spreading misinformation.
Speaking on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan, Iqbal questioned why residents were leaving their homes and said the provincial government must clarify the circumstances. He stressed that the federal government had neither issued any directive nor appealed for evacuation from the area.
Referring to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information late Saturday night, Iqbal said reports linking the displacement to a large-scale military operation were false and misleading. He warned that associating the armed forces with the evacuation amounted to deliberate propaganda.
“Law and order is the responsibility of the provincial government,” Iqbal said, adding that the KP administration had failed to fulfil its duty. “The KP government must decide whether it stands with terrorists or with the people of Pakistan.”
Echoing these remarks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the federal government had taken serious notice of what he described as false narratives surrounding Tirah. He reiterated that claims linking the evacuation to the military were factually incorrect.
The exchange comes as residents of Tirah’s Maidan area continue to face severe hardship. Hundreds of families have been forced to flee amid heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and reports of a planned security operation expected to last two months.
According to officials, displacement from the area began on January 9, with rehabilitation and return of residents tentatively scheduled from April 5.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the Miraban–Tirah Valley Road remained blocked due to heavy snowfall. Several other routes across KP — including Kaghan-Naran, Battal and the Lowari Tunnel — were also closed, leaving both locals and tourists stranded.
Snow accumulation has disrupted road connectivity in Buner, Swat, Chitral, Lower Dir and Kolai-Palas, where clearance operations are underway using heavy machinery.
Rescue 1122 officials said emergency relief efforts were continuing in Tirah, with 103 personnel deployed from Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Khyber districts. So far, more than 25 vehicles carrying 65 stranded individuals have been rescued.
‘Forced to Leave’
Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said residents of the Tirah Valley were “forced to leave” their homes, insisting that the provincial government had not ordered any evacuation.
Addressing party workers in Chakdara, Afridi said the people of Tirah were enduring extreme difficulties and warned that if the ongoing operation was not halted within the next two to three days, the KP government would devise its own strategy.
He clarified that his party was neither against the armed forces nor state institutions, but opposed what he described as interference in political matters.
Separately, KP government spokesperson Shafi Jan rejected federal claims regarding the release of Rs4 billion for displaced families, calling them “highly ridiculous”.
Jan said the provincial government had released funds on time to provide relief, adding that residents were being compelled to leave due to the ongoing operation. He accused the federal government of attempting to shift responsibility for the situation onto the KP administration.
