Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 13, 2009

Pakistan Starts Repatriating 2 Million Displaced
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=254E726:A6F02AD83191E160C7B55B34E13E1056C030207A0BD70133&
 
Amid fears and uncertainty about living conditions in their war-hit
towns, about 200 families left on trucks and buses from the Jalozai and
Charsada camps near Peshawar 
Displaced Pakistanis pack up their belongings as they prepare to leave
refugee camp, in Charsadda, near Peshawar, 13 Jul 2009Pakistan has begun
repatriation of nearly two-million people who fled fighting between the
army and Taliban militants that broke out two months ago in the Malakand
Division, including the troubled Swat District. Pakistani officials say
in a first phase refugees at the Jalozai and Charsada camps are being
sent back to their homes. Pakistan estimates $2.6 billion will be needed
for the entire reconstruction and rehabilitation process. Amid fears and
uncertainty about living conditions in their war-hit towns, about 200
families left on trucks and buses from the Jalozai and Charsada camps
near Peshawar. While most of the returnees appeared excited and happy,
some are refusing to go back because they say they have not received
essential food items and the financial assistance (of about $300) the
government has promised them. A top official overseeing!
  the repatriation process at the Jalozai camp, Tahir Orakzai, says
displaced people are going back voluntarily and a proper system is in
place to give them required assistance. "We are giving ration [food plus
money] to those who have been verified [by the authorities]," said
Orakzai. "And those who are left out we have given them assurance that
they will be provided rations when they reach at their home
stations."Most of the families uprooted by the anti-Taliban Pakistani
offensive moved in with relatives or friends in cities and towns in the
North-West Frontier Province. But nearly 300,000 ended up in poorly
equipped temporary camps. Officials say that in the first stage the
repatriation process is focusing on these families. Addressing a
gathering of international and local aid agencies as well as
representatives of donor countries in Islamabad, Prime Minister Yousaf
Raza Gilani described the anti-Taliban military offensive as successful,
and he promised displaced families will be given full protection as they
return to their homes.
 He said Pakistan will need $2.6 billion for the re-construction and
re-habilitation of the displaced families. "Getting on with their lives
on arrival and rebuilding their livelihoods on a sustainable basis is
now the most daunting challenge confronting all of us, while ensuring a
peaceful and secure environment for this to proceed peacefully," said
Mr. Gilani. The United Nations says it has received $230 million in
response to a $543 million emergency aid appeal it launched in May to
deal with the humanitarian crisis. Top U.N officials also have
emphasized the Pakistani government must ensure appropriate living
conditions and security are in place for the returning families.
Military officials say the anti-Taliban offensive launched in late April
in Swat and several neighboring districts has flushed militants out of
these areas. They claim to have killed more than 1,700 extremists in the
fighting and have confirmed the loss of more than 170 soldiers. But
Pakistani officials have not reported killings of any of the top
militant leaders in the region, raising fears among returning families
the fighters could re-group.