Number of IDPs has surpassed 2.5 million: NWFP minister

* Hussain says war on terror battle for survival of Pakistan
* Says 30-35 percent of Swat, Malakand division residents stranded in war zone

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: The total number of internally displaced families has reached 344,143, NWFP Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain said on Wednesday, adding this meant there were over 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He told a press conference the number of relief camps would be increased by eight to cope with the influx of IDPs. He said the war on terror is not a war on Pushtoons, and is instead a battle for the survival of Pakistan that will continue until the terrorists are completely eradicated. Hussain said the provincial government had to care for a large number of IDPs, adding any administrative negligence would result in chaos. He said pedestal fans and water coolers were currently in great demand at the camps.

The minister expressed his gratitude for the help from Sindh, Balochistan and especially Punjab, adding the Punjab government had also assured more support in future. He said 14 trucks loaded with edibles had been donated by the Punjab government, adding the provincial government had requested 25,000 tents, 11,541 stoves and 162,543 water coolers.

Still stuck: He said the IDPs from Malakand division were being given priority, adding barbed wire fences had been erected to restrict the movement of people from outside the camp. He praised the services of officers working at the camps. However, he added, negligent officers would be punished and cited the sacking of the Charsadda Relief Camp in-charge. He said 30 to 35 percent of Swat and Malakand division residents were still stranded in the war zone.

Commenting on the relief efforts, the NWFP minister said the provincial government had already received containers of aid from UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Nahyan, and urged that the $110 million assistance announced by the US should not be delayed. He said the Muslim Commercial Bank had opened information counters in all camps.