The 15 day deadline given by the government to North Waziristan-based tribes to expel militants from their area has is forcing people to leave their ancestral homes and lands for safety.
Miramshah, the headquarters of the tribal agency, presented a deserted look yesterday.
Local and foreign militants, who frequently roam the main bazaar( which remained shut) have gone into hiding.
Residents have already left Mirali, the second major town in North Waziristan.
However But many families were unable to move because most transporters took their vehicles off the road. And those who have not done so as yet are charging prohibitive amounts. They have raised the Bannu-Miramshah fare to Rs1,000 from Rs2000.
Speaking to a 64-member jirga of the Uthmanzai tribe from North Waziristan Agency in Peshawar on Friday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and Corps Commander Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani had given 15 days to the tribes to expel militants from their area or face action.
Earlier, Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur had also given a warning to the people to leave the area by June 10. A pamphlet carrying his name asked people not to take refuge in camps set up by the government for displaced people and instead move to the Afghan border. A long and perilous journey across the mountains.
