ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday categorically dismissed reports claiming that residents of Tirah Valley were being evacuated on the orders of the armed forces, terming such assertions baseless and misleading.
In a statement, the ministry said the federal government had taken notice of what it described as a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at spreading fear among the public, maligning security institutions and serving narrow political or personal interests.
The ministry clarified that no directive had been issued by either the federal government or the armed forces to evacuate Tirah Valley. It added that law enforcement agencies continue to conduct routine intelligence-based operations strictly against terrorist elements, while ensuring that the lives and livelihoods of peaceful civilians remain unaffected.
It stressed that such operations do not require population displacement and that no forced migration is taking place in the area. The statement further noted that local communities themselves have repeatedly voiced concerns over the presence of outlawed militants and have expressed a desire for lasting peace and stability in Tirah.
Providing background, the ministry referred to a notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department on December 26, 2025, under which funds amounting to approximately Rs4 billion were earmarked as a precautionary measure.
According to the ministry, the allocation was meant solely for preparedness in case of any temporary, voluntary and need-based movement of residents from certain localities of Tirah (Bagh). The funds are intended for contingency planning, including transport arrangements, food supply, cash assistance and the establishment of temporary accommodation and registration facilities, if required.
The statement clarified that the document explicitly mentions that any proposed voluntary relocation reflects the wishes of the local population, as conveyed through representative jirgas held at the district level. It also takes into account weather conditions, administrative capacity and local circumstances, and does not involve the establishment of formal camps.
The ministry strongly rejected claims linking this provincial preparedness measure to the armed forces, calling such narratives fabricated and politically motivated attempts to undermine security institutions.
