Fresh controversy has erupted in Khyber district’s Tirah valley as displaced families question the fate of Rs. 4 billion allocated for their rehabilitation during military-led evacuations. Despite official claims, affected residents say they have received little to no financial support, raising serious concerns over transparency and governance under the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
According to local accounts, nearly 19,000 families — around 90,000 individuals — were forced to migrate from Tirah. However, displaced residents report that transportation costs were paid out of their own pockets, food expenses were self-financed, and even temporary accommodation in Bara was arranged at personal expense.
“If we paid for travel, food, and housing ourselves, then where did the Rs. 4 billion go?” — a question now echoing across Tirah.
Allegations of Inflated Figures and Fake Registrations
Multiple sources claim that while the actual number of displaced persons was around 90,000, government records show 115,000 registered individuals. This discrepancy of 25,000 allegedly fake beneficiaries has fueled accusations of systematic manipulation.
It is further alleged that these ghost registrations were deliberately added to withdraw extra funds, which were then siphoned off through internal collusion.
PTI Workers Accused of Exploiting Registration Process
Reports from the ground suggest that registration centers meant exclusively for Tirah residents were flooded with PTI workers from other districts, including Charsadda and Swabi. These individuals allegedly registered themselves as displaced persons despite having no connection to Tirah.
The motive, locals claim, was straightforward: access to compensation money meant for genuine victims.
Residents argue that if each displaced family was entitled to hundreds of thousands of rupees, the absence of payments to real victims can only point toward large-scale financial mismanagement or corruption.
Growing Public Outrage
The situation has intensified public anger, with locals demanding:
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A transparent audit of displacement funds
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Verification of registration data
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Accountability of officials involved in the process
Critics argue that instead of spending public money on rehabilitation, the PTI-led provincial administration allowed political favoritism and alleged profiteering, further victimizing already displaced communities.
Unanswered Questions
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Why do official figures not match ground realities?
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Who authorized registrations of non-residents?
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Where did the remaining billions actually go?
Until these questions are answered, the controversy surrounding Tirah displacement funds will continue to haunt the KP government and erode public trust.