Govt denies Army-ordered evacuation of Tirah Valley, calls reports ‘Baseless’

2026-01-25 - 21:06

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani government denounced reports claiming military instructed residents to evacuate Tirah Valley, debunking these rumors as “baseless, fabricated, and politically motivated.” Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said certain groups were deliberately spreading false information to incite panic, create fear among civilians, and malign the nation’s security institutions. According to the statement, both the federal government and the armed forces have clarified that no orders for evacuation have ever been issued. Security operations targeting militant elements in the region are conducted strictly on intelligence and are designed not to disrupt civilians’ daily lives. There is currently no plan for forced displacement or population relocation, the ministry emphasized. The statement also highlighted that local residents are themselves concerned about the presence of militants and are seeking peace and stability in Tirah Valley. In this context, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s Relief, Rehabilitation, and Settlement Department issued a notification on December 26, 2025, allocating funds for advance preparedness and relief measures in the event of temporary, voluntary movement from certain areas. The notification includes arrangements for transportation, food, cash assistance, and temporary accommodations and registration centers. Local administration also clarified that any potential movement is voluntary, reflecting the wishes of the local population expressed through representative jirgas. Officials considered weather, administrative capacity, and other local factors, and the movement could occur without establishing camps. Over 20000 People Evacuated from Tirah Valley ahead of Massive Security Operation