Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PESHAWAR63
2009-03-28 12:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:  

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS DEMONSTRATE FOR COMPENSATION

Tags:  PTER MOPS PGOV PK 
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FM AMCONSUL PESHAWAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7895
INFO RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4955
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 4668
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 1443
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUMICEA/USSOCOM INTEL OPS CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000063 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/28/2019
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PK
SUBJECT: INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS DEMONSTRATE FOR COMPENSATION
AND SHARI'A LAW

CLASSIFIED BY: Michael A. Via, Acting Principal Officer,
Peshawar, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000063

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/28/2019
TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PK
SUBJECT: INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS DEMONSTRATE FOR COMPENSATION
AND SHARI'A LAW

CLASSIFIED BY: Michael A. Via, Acting Principal Officer,
Peshawar, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d)
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) of Jalozai Camp near
Nowshera led by Sahibzada Haroon Rashid, deputy chief of
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI),conducted a demonstration that left at
least one person dead, 10 more injured, including four police
officers, shops and vehicles burned and 22 arrested March 25.
The approximately three thousand IDPs who participated in the
demonstration demanded compensation from losses incurred during
the recent military campaign against militants in Bajaur and
Shari'a law for Bajaur. They expressed concern they would be
forced to return before it was safe. Their fears were fueled by
a partially completed survey, by the UNHCR to ascertain relief
package expectations, and a pamphlet by the office of the Bajaur
Political Agent that made no mention of relief packages while
trying to prepare IDPs for eventual return. The demonstration
spurred on by JI, highlighted again, the need for better
civilian-military cooperation on counter-insurgency operations
and their aftermath. End Summary.

IDPs Demonstrate
--------------


2. (C) Internally Displaced Persons (IDP),primarily from
Bajaur, who have been living in the Jalozai Camp near Nowshera,
were led by Sahibzada Haroon Rashid, deputy chief of
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI),in a demonstration that left at least one
person dead, 10 more injured, including four police officers,
shops and vehicles burned and 22 arrested. The demonstration
and clash with police blocked the Peshawar - Islamabad road
until police fired tear gas and their weapons, initially into
the air, to disperse the crowd. (Note: Rashid is a former
Member of the National Assembly who resigned two years ago in
protest over an alleged missile strike on a Madrassah in Bajaur
Agency. End note).

Why A Demonstration?
--------------


3. (C) The approximately three thousand IDPs who participated in
the demonstration demanded compensation from losses incurred
during the recent military campaign against militants in Bajaur.

There was a general belief among the demonstrators that the
planned compensation package was going to be lower than they had
demanded in a to be completed survey UNHCR and widespread fear
that the IDPs would be forced to leave the camp before it was
safe to return. (Note: The anticipated compensation package has
not been made public although figures have been circulating
between the Provincial Relief Commissioner (PRC),the Federal
Relief Commissioner (FRC),and some international relief NGOs.
End note).

Survey?
--------------


4. (C) In recent weeks UNHCR began a survey in IDP camps to
determine what kind of "return package" the IDPs would be
expecting when they returned to their villages in Bajaur. The
survey, which focused on relief assistance, was begun shortly
before a pamphlet was distributed by the Bajaur Political Agent
that did not mention a relief package. A field officer working
with the IDPs told post March 26 the pamphlets were designed to
begin the preparation of IDPs for eventual return (NFI) but
raised fears the government might force them to leave the camps
without adequate compensation and before it was safe. He said
neither of these fears were grounded in truth but were being
fueled by Rashid for political purposes.

Shari'a Law For Bajaur?
--------------


5. (C) An expatriate aid worker who had visited the camp March
24, told Acting Principal Officer that he witnessed JI party
members "planting" the idea of Shari'a law in Bajaur among the
IDPs and tribal Maliks. In his view JI had fomented the
demonstration with the help of tribal Maliks who were feeling
powerless in the camps and wanted to re-establish their

PESHAWAR 00000063 002 OF 002


authority.


What Is The Government Planning?
--------------


6. (C) According to GOP officials working to decide on a relief
package, no final decisions have been made. However, current
thinking is to provide a return package that provides funding
for repair or replacement of homes damaged, transportation
charges, tents, kitchen sets and a monthly stipend for six
months.


7. (C) The government workers associated with the pamphlet
claimed they were only attempting to mobilize the IDPs to get
ready to return to their villages not forcing them to vacate the
camps immediately.


8. (C) Multiple post contacts state the IDPs who are returning
to Bajaur thus far are in most cases a single family member sent
to determine if Bajaur is safe, assess the damage to and occupy
the family property.

Comment
--------------


9. (C) Claims by GOP officials that they were not going to force
IDPs to leave Jalozai tracks with what Federally Administered
Tribal Areas Additional Chief Secretary Khan told post March 19.
Khan stated categorically that no IDP would be forced to leave
a camp but that certain packages were being considered so as to
support those who decided on their own to return. A more
troubling sign than the demonstration is the demand that Shari'a
law should be adopted in Bajaur agency and JI's willingness to
foment trouble in the camps.
VIA