The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday rejected reports alleging the forced depopulation of Tirah Valley on the orders of the army. It called the claims misleading and politically motivated.
In an official clarification issued late Saturday, the ministry said the allegations aimed to spread panic, undermine state institutions, and advance vested political interests. Moreover, it stressed that neither the federal government nor the armed forces had issued any directive to clear the area.
Evacuations began in Tirah’s Maidan area on January 9 as part of advance arrangements for a planned security operation. Officials expect the operation to conclude within two months, followed by rehabilitation and voluntary returns starting April 5.
The ministry said law enforcement agencies continue to conduct targeted, intelligence-based operations against militant elements. It added that authorities designed these actions to avoid disrupting civilian life, making any forced migration unnecessary.
Addressing local concerns, the statement noted that residents of Tirah have long demanded peace and stability. This comes amid the presence of militants in the region.
— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) January 24, 2026
The ministry also cited a notification issued on December 26, 2025, by the KP Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department. The department released around Rs4 billion for what it described as temporary and voluntary movement from selected localities in Tirah (Bagh).
According to the document, the provincial government sought logistical support for preparedness measures. These included transport, food supplies, cash assistance, and the setup of transit and registration points.
The ministry said the Deputy Commissioner of Khyber confirmed that the voluntary movement reflected the will of the local population. This will was expressed through a representative jirga. Additionally, it followed a non-camp-based approach shaped by seasonal and logistical factors.
Officials strongly rejected any statements linking the movement to the armed forces. The ministry termed such claims false and fabricated, accusing their promoters of seeking political mileage by maligning security institutions.
The Pakistani military is forcing thousands of families to evacuate from Khyber District’s Tirah Valley ahead of a security operation it says will target Pakistani Taliban fighters who now control parts of the region. Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder reports. pic.twitter.com/ZpACFW3U7B
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 23, 2026Meanwhile, severe winter conditions worsened the situation for some families moving out of the Tirah Valley. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures stranded several vehicles on mountain roads, prompting emergency response efforts.
Rescue 1122 said its teams rescued more than 65 people travelling in 25 vehicles trapped by snow. Doctors at Hayatabad Medical Complex reported multiple hypothermia cases, mostly involving children.
Thousands of people are stranded in heavy snow, and tragically, two children have died in an accident. It has become painfully clear that decision-makers ordered the evacuation of #TirahValley without adequate planning or arrangements, relying solely on the announcement of a… pic.twitter.com/c5Hqtatkaf
— Naimat Khan (@NKMalazai) January 23, 2026Medical staff transferred at least 20 children to the hospital with symptoms such as shivering, fatigue, and dangerously low body temperature.
#WATCH: “We left fully furnished homes behind.”
As vehicles line up at a registration camp, officials say up to 20,000 families could be displaced by a planned military offensive against militants in Pakistan’s conflict-hit Tirah Valley. https://t.co/1mqh3kwBGP pic.twitter.com/W1sntWNBBa
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) January 19, 2026The Pakistan Army also participated in relief operations, rescuing stranded residents and evacuating them to safe locations. Furthermore, authorities prepared a 200-bed facility at the Tirah Administrative Complex, where officials continue to provide food, shelter, and essential services to affected families.
