The federal government and the Armed Forces have not issued any directive for the depopulation of Tirah.
ISLAMABAD:
The government has taken note of “misleading claims” circulating about an alleged “depopulation” of the Tirah Valley by order of the army, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement on Saturday.
These claims are baseless, malicious and driven by ulterior motives aimed at creating alarm among the public, misinformation against security institutions and promoting vested political interests, the statement said, adding that the federal government and the Armed Forces have not issued any directive for the depopulation of Tirah.
The Ministry of Information noted that law enforcement agencies routinely carry out selective intelligence-based operations strictly against terrorist elements, with utmost care to avoid disruption of peaceful civilian life for which no depopulation or migration is needed or taking place. It should be noted that the local population is increasingly concerned about the presence of Khwarij and desires peace and stability in Tirah.
The Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department of the Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa issued a notification for release of funds on December 26, 2025 (reportedly Rs 4 billion) for temporary and early voluntary movement of population from certain localities of Tirah (Bagh), and requested facilitation of advance preparation and relief-related arrangements, including transportation, food support, cash assistance and establishment and management of transit points and registration, the statement reads.
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 camp-free modality.”
Therefore, any stated position of the provincial government or its officials conveyed to the media that such migration has anything to do with the Armed Forces is false and fabricated, given with mala fide intention to gain political capital and unfortunately defame the security institutions and is therefore highly regrettable, the ministry said.
