Punjab not to allow IDP camps

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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The tradition of “pakistan to agay hai” continues. Not much more for me to say, but that Sindh will once again bear the burden and the repercussions.

Punjab not to allow IDP camps

** Punjab not to allow IDP camps**

Thursday, May 21, 2009

By Dilshad Azeem

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has decided in principle not to allow camps for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the province, The News has learnt.

“The IDPs can cause trouble for the province just like the Afghan refugees. So, we have decided not to permit their entry or setting up of camps for them in the Punjab,” sources in the provincial government said.

However, the Punjab government has formed an inter-provincial coordination committee (IPCC), after consultation with the ANP-led Frontier government, to provide aid to the IDPs at their camps in the NWFP.

The IPCC comprises two members each from the Punjab and the NWFP. “The NWFP members will inform the Punjab government of the requirements of the IDPs.” The director general relief and the district coordination officer (DCO), Attock, would coordinate with the NWFP members of the IPCC as representatives of the Punjab.

“If it becomes mandatory for us to accommodate the IDPs any way, a computerised registration system would be set up to ensure strict check on their activities till their return,” the Punjab official sources said.

As the Punjab describes such restrictions as part of its security policy, the Frontier government believes that such a step would create provincial disharmony as no Pakistani citizen could be barred from staying at any corner of the country.

Director Public Relations (DPR), Punjab, Mohiuddin Wani, while speaking on behalf of the provincial government, said any final decision about the issue would be taken once the IDPs started migrating to the province.

Responding to a query, the DPR said the Punjab government would welcome the displaced persons whenever it deemed necessary. ìPresently, the NWFP government is absorbing all the IDPs.î

Also, Director General Relief, Punjab, Rizwanullah Baig, said the people of the province were donating generously for the IDPs. ìWe will provide all kinds of material assistance to the displaced persons through a coordination committee.î

However, ANP Vice President Haji Muhammad Adeel said: ìYes, we have heard that the Punjab is not willing to take the IDPs and this step will send a wrong message to other provinces.î Adeel said the Punjab should also declare war on terror as the Frontier province had done. “Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced assistance for the IDPs, which is only peanuts in view of the fact that Punjab is the elder brother.”

PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, in his talk with this correspondent on Monday, had given “rising temperature” as the major reason for not allowing the establishment of the IDPs’ camps in the Punjab. (What a stupid reason, the plains of NWFP are just as hot)
**
A PML-N consultative round held in Islamabad last Monday with Nawaz Sharif in the chair had first discussed to adopt a policy of extending help to the displaced persons while retaining them within the NWFP.**

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

*Quit playing the victim card, 1 out of these 100 refugees can make their way to Sindh in the first place. Maybe ‘bhai’ he can ask his MNA’s to do what Nawaz Sharif did. *

AAJ TV : Pakistan Ki Awaz

PML-N MNAs to donate Rs 500,000 each for IDPs

                               ISLAMABAD  ( 2009-05-18 23:47:23 ) :Pakistan Muslim League-N on Monday decided that** each party member of National Assembly would donate Rs 500,000 for relief and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)**. The decision was taken in the Central Working Committee meeting that was held under the chair of the PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif. The meeting also discussed the modalities of fund raising and its distribution to the IDPs.

It was decided that the medicines to all the IDPs would be provided free of cost and as per requirement.

Senator Ishaq Dar announced to donate Rs 50 million for the rehabilitation of the IDPs of Swat and Malakand Division.

Briefing the meeting, Sardar Zulfikar Khosa told the meeting that Punjab Government has created Rs 100 million fund and 200 trucks of relief material have been handed over to the NWFP government.

Addressing the meeting, the PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif said only 30 percent of IDPs are staying in camps. The magnitude of this tragedy is very high and nation should take its humanitarian responsibility to meet this unprecedented challenge, he said.

He reiterated his promise to run a full relief camp by Punjab Government where PML-N is in the government and directed provincial organisations to fully mobilise all tiers for this noble cause.

The CWC called for concerted efforts for relief and rehabilitation of IDPs and urged all segments of the society to render their efforts to mitigate their miseries.

Talking to media, PML-N’s Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said the relief efforts for IDPs dominated the agenda of the meeting in which the whole party leadership urged the government to ensure transparency in distribution of relief goods and disbursement of funds.

He said the PML-N leadership was of the view that the root cause of law and order situation across the country was that the rule of law does not prevail in the country which is begetting several issues.

“Only the rule of law can guarantee the national security and dignity. It can also ensure country’s deliverance from the issues like extremism, poverty and unemployment,” said the PML-N leader.

He said the country is going through the critical circumstances regarding the Northern Areas, Fata and Balochistan and all this chaos can be well dealt through ensuring supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament.

He said there is a need the government restores people’s confidence in democracy and ensures good governance that can also help revive the national economy.

He said all the efforts to resolve national issue should be made in line with the provisions of Charter of Democracy signed between the PPP and the PML-N leadership, which can guarantee country’s deliverance from all national as well international issues.

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

"We'll throw some petty cash (stolen from them through theft of hydro-power royalties) at the IDPs who are suffering from the problem "

Nice one. Keep up the good work

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

I believe this is totally wrong of Punjab Govt. to use the excuse of "trouble-causing elements" in order to shy away from hosting the IDP camps. This decision will come back to haunt Sharif Bros. nationally. This is exactly the kind of decisions by the political parties that give rise to ethnic hatred that then becomes a cause for worry for the nation as a whole.

very shameful, i'd say....IDPs should be hosted and all efforts made to accomodate them in the best of possible conditions all over the nation equally.

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

[mod]Irrelevant posts removed. Please discuss the topic at-hand, and avoid off-topic remarks that hamper the discussion. Thanks[/mod]

Full Time Masti - May 2013
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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

Establishment used Pakhtunkhawa land for Refugies from Aghanistan for Decades, now when we are in trouble becose of the policies of establishment(Panjab) they refuse to allow any IDP Camp. Good, Good.......lets handover Pakhtunkhawa to Taliban then, they will reliase what we r facing.

Osay Zidd Haii k Tum Mar kay Dikhao
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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

Hamper discussion? There needs to be a discussion first for it to be hampered!

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

Irrelevant posts were removed, so there could be a discussion. :D

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Really disgusting. I remember when the issue of bringing in stranded Biharis in Bengladesh was hot, Punjab brought in only one plane (don't know exact number) of them and stopped. Someone is very insecure and insincere.

Making cash donations isn't going to do much. They need a place to live.

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i condemn this if punjab govt has decided that.... also i also condemn the way poster is reacting...
my pakistaniat is higher than the race and we should ask Allah forgiveness that day should not befall on s when we become refugees in our own homeland and our own brothers refuse to give shelter...

did the pak army shaheeds from peshawar to the remote areas of balochistan who laid down their lives cared about that.. we are rotten people.

also to the poster: i know what party you are affiliated with and what it is doing in sindh and your partys cronies..so stop blaming punjab govt..

i have heard their MQM affiliates are helding demos for not allowing IDPs entry in sindh, another fact and fortunately for us they have almost zero support they are criminals as MQM and ANP and major stakeholder in land grabing post sohrab goth area.

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

It's a good decision by Punjab Government, i fully endorse it. We must take care precautionary actions using our lessons learned by handling Afghan Refugees.

If the pressure is overwhelming then IDP's can be resided in government controlled areas on NWFP/Punjab border.

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these are not afghans and by the way...
whining all the time and when it is time to help every one on their own..

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

^ it's your opinion, and i respect it

But the Punjab Government decision is 100% understandable & justified. Where i said they are Afghan?

FYI: It's the Punjab which is helping the most compare to other provinces, all the time whining against the Punjab should be quit too.

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

wine, please don't foolishly support this ridiculous decision by sharif bratharan who are hell bent on making punjab hated across pakistan and diminishing the role of punjabi soldiers in the army who are sacrificing their lives for putting an end to takfiris in pakhtunkhwa.

Full Time Masti - May 2013
Full Time Masti - May 2013
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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

shameful stuff. people here were worried that the IDPs wouldnt be welcome in Karachi, its unexpected for this to be coming from Punjab. absolutely shameful, and should be illegal to limit the movement of citizens to go ANYWHERE in the country based on one's birthplace/domicile.

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Yes you can say them right because it is decieded by N$ and Showbaz Shareef, Remember they are actually responcible for these all IDPs because of their association with Zia.

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What a shame.

A little news and Pakistanis are fighting among each other like pesky d**s.

There are two ways to handle IDPs

  1. Setup IDP camps in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan
  2. Welcome IDPs in private homes (free or paid) in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan

1 Bad idea. We need to keep the displaced people as close to home as possible. This is absolutely crucial for quick rebuilding of the affected areas.

Bunir people have already been allowed in small numbers to go and harvest their crops. If God forbid things get worse, these people can quickly take shelter in the close-by IDP camps. This quick rebuilding response will not be possible if these refugees are housed in Lahore or Karachi.

2 Good idea and it is already happening. For IDPs who are not very closely linked to agriculture (much smaller number), they can move around more easily.

If any of you are following the news, Swati families are already getting shelter in Punjab cities like Lahore, Multan and Sindh cities like Karachi.

Time to end this dog eat dog analysis among Pakistanis.

Thank you.

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For the mindless lot, the refugees can settle whereever they want (except Karachi because Bhai's top commando ishrat dadda ibaad has comissioned new commandoes to take out refugees)... Its just that the Govt will not setup 'camps' for them. Not setting up camps is different from NOT allowing someone to enter the province. Use your grey matter.

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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

Oh of course, the swatis and buneris will migrate into all the millions of houses that will provide them shelter free of cost in the land of the five rivers. It’s so simple! :rolleyes:

PML-N’s election symbol dies
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Re: Punjab not to allow IDP camps

Bhai will give them shelter in lundun, dont worry.