ISLAMABAD – A group of traders from North Waziristan have demanded compensation for their shops and businesses destroyed during operation Zarb-i-Azab, launched by the military, to weed out terrorism.
According to media reports, the traders from FATA had put forth their demands during a sit-in at National Press Club Islamabad as they met Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor.
During the meeting – which continued for four hours – assurances were given to the traders that their issue will be addressed after which the sit-in was called off.
The DG ISPR appreciated the efforts of tribesmen for the restoration of peace and assured them full support of security agencies for the rehabilitation of violence-battered region.
https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/987378450813071360
The traders asserted that they had shops in Miranshah Bazaar and Mir Ali Bazaar which were destroyed during the Military operation.
As many as 300 traders led by Haji Mohammad Din, Mohammad Shafique Khan and Zahinullah Khan had been protesting outside the National Press Club for the last four days.
Assistant Political Officer North Waziristan Taimoor Afridi and seasoned journalist Saleem Safi also played their role in convincing the traders to call off their protest.
It may be mentioned here that scores of locals had to leave North Waziristan during the operation Zarb-i-Azb and the markets of Miranshah and Mir Ali were destroyed during to excessive search operations.
Several illegal buildings had been constructed in the area as well due to which many people could not get their land back.
