Largest displacement after WW-II: Holbrooke

PESHAWAR/SWABI - US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke visited the camps of the Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) at Mardan and Swabi on Thursday.
While talking to journalists at Sheikh Shehzad Camp, Mardan, Richard Holbrooke said that Pakistan was facing numerous challenges and the United States would not leave it in the lurch.
He said that the IDPs needed attention and that was the reason that the US had announced extra grant for their rehabilitation.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson and other high-ranking officials of the US Consulate were also present on the occasion.
Answering a question, Holbrooke said that Taliban had misguided the people through their illegal FM channels and had been luring them to terrorist activities. He also said that with the support of the international community terrorism would be root out from both Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said that the United States through UN agencies was fully supporting the IDPs.
Later, he met IDPs in their camps and inquired about the facilities available to them. At the end, he also visited Army Field Hospital.
Earlier, Richard Holbrooke also visited Shah Mansoor Township, Swabi.
He and other US officials reached the camp in four helicopters. Their visit was kept secret and extremely tight security arrangements were made on the occasion. No one, including journalists, was allowed to enter the area.
During his visit, Holbrooke met the IDPs and told them that the US was standing by them and the government of Pakistan.
Col (Retd) Nisar, chief of the Red Crescent Society’s camp, briefed the US officials about the facilities being provided to IDPs. The US Special Envoy also said that assistances for the IDPs would be increased further.
He further said that the US would also appeal to the international community for extending help to Pakistan for the displaced persons.
Agencies add: Richard Holbrooke said that migration from Malakand Division is the largest displacement after World War II.
Talking to reporters during his visit to Mardan relief camps, he said the US would continue its financial assistance for IDPs and the US has already increased the financial assistance from $ 110 million to $ 310 million.