KHYBER
Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Tirah Valley have threatened to boycott a polio campaign to be scheduled on April 13, 2026 over alleged corruption in funds, allocated the provincial government for their relief.
According to the media spokesperson of Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah,( Affectees Movement,Tirah) Sohbat Afridi, said that they agreed in principle to boycott the upcoming anti-polio campaign started on April 13, accusing the provincial government of corruption and negligence in the distribution of funds allocated for displaced families.
A meeting of the movement’s cabinet had been convened to discuss the issues, and to make a final call regarding the boycott of the polio campaign, he said.
He maintained that in the first phase, affectees in Tirah Valley would deny administering polio drops to their children while in the second phase, residents of Bara would be asked to show solidarity and join them in the boycott.
He added that the affected persons had serious concerns regarding deductions from the financial assistance provided to them for house rent.
Rs10, 000 is being deducted from the allocated amount of Rs250, 000, while monthly arrears of Rs50, 000 have also not been paid to the families, he accused.
Afridi said the people of Tirah were also protesting against the demolition of houses and markets, alleged looting, and the indiscriminate cutting of forests and fruit trees in the valley.
He urged the provincial government to immediately address the concerns of Tirah affectees and release the pending rent payments, warning that the protest movement would be expanded if their demands are not met.
It is to be mentioned here that the Tirah IDPs have already initiated a protest camp in Bara against the allegedly corruption in the funds.
