Journal of Civil & Legal Sciences
Open Access

The attacks of 9/11 played very important role in shaping the US foreign policy towards South Asia with special reference to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Whereas the responsibility of heinous attacks came from Al Qaeda, which was an Arab based terrorist organization. Soon after the attacks of 9/11, the whole network of Al Qaeda was shifted to Afghanistan where Taliban was having their de facto government under the leadership of Mullah Omar. In connection to the event which infringed security of the United States, Al Qaeda leaders were demanded from Taliban but the request of hand hovering was rejected. Consequently, this made the US compelled to initiate military action against the offenders as well as their sympathizers. With this, US started “Operation Enduring Freedom” and the notion of war on terror came to lime light. Later on hardly after few weeks of war against Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, the US demanded from Pakistan whether it would be to the side of terrorists or the US. In response to those options, Pakistan’s the then president General Pervez Musharraf sided with the US and thus became an alley to western world [1]. However, on the basis of General Pervez Musharraf’s decision, Pakistan so far has received million dollars military and financial aid from the US and Western world.

The NATO forces engagement against the terrorists in Afghanistan consequently resulted the pushing of large number of fighters towards the tribal areas of Pakistan known as FATA. So, slowly and gradually the settled Taliban fighters reorganized themselves in shape of networks and carried armed activities against the NATO troops in Afghanistan [2]. While such attacks largely undermined the future as well as the success of the US forces in Afghanistan. While on other hand, it was impossible for the US and NATO forces to cross the Durand line and attack over those hide outs of terrorists that were present in the tribal area (FATA) which were acting as a launching pad. Therefore, analyzing the situation in deep, finally the US administration decided to go with the option of using Drone technology against the terrorists in the area. Finally, consensus was reached out between the US and Pakistan officials regarding conducting the Drone strikes in FATA. These CIA operated Drone strikes have largely targeted the networks of Taliban fighters and most of their high profile leadership have been killed or either hibernated themselves, due to disruption of their channels. In other words, the US Drone strikes have totally undermine the terrorist’s capability of carrying operations both inside Pakistan and across the country [3].

In the context of shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy by becoming an ally to the Western world in the war against terrorism created a great mistrust in relations with Taliban. Whereas the US Drone strikes, which started in the year 2004 further enraged the Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters against the country. Therefore, in retaliation they started their activities inside Pakistan by attacking law enforcement agencies, secular political parties, educational institutions and government installations [4]. The upsurge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan as well the pressure from international community to take action against both bad and god Taliban, compelled Pakistan to launch military action against them. From 2001 up to now, several military operations have been launched against them with the aim to dismantle their networks. The largest and important of all is the “Operation Zarb-i-Azb” which started in the year 2014. This is the biggest offence ever launched against militants by the Pakistani army in the tribal area of Pakistan [5].

The US Drone strikes have created a kind of mistrust as well as anxiety among people as a result large number of families have left their area and living in the other parts of the province. While due to the military operation which have also made thousands of families Internally Displaced Persons, most of them are living in the camps erected to near districts like Dera Ismail Khan and Bunnu etc. [6].

Thus, both have played very important role in making people of FATA as Internally Displaced Persons.

To explore that operation Zarb-i-Azb and the US Drone strikes in FATA have given birth to the phenomenon of internally displaced persons.

This study has three-fold significance. First, it will be useful for the policy makers in Pakistan concerning IDP’s of FATA. Second, the study will highly contribute in the body of existing knowledge about the US Drone strikes and Operation Zarb-i-Azb in FATA. Finally, yet importantly, this study will act as a baseline information for the future researchers.

How Operation Zarb-I-Azb and the US Drone strikes are effecting people of FATA?

With the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, large number of Taliban and foreign fighters left battlefields in Afghanistan and entered the tribal area of Pakistan. The flesh out of Taliban fighters from Afghanistan towards Pakistan was all due to geographical affinity between both countries. As a result, they newly settled Taliban fighters in FATA along their networks organized themselves and started attacking the US and NATO troops in Afghanistan. While on other hand, NATO and the American forces in Afghanistan tried their level best to haunt each militant at their side but despite of it large number of them succeeded in escape. Among them Osama Bin Laden, Mullah Omar and other high profile leadership, who fled to FATA across the Tora Bora mountains of Pak-Afghan border. Consequently, the cross border attacks orchestrated by Taliban become extremely difficult for the ISAF forces either stops or to get rid of it, as it was impossible for them to attack over Taliban, who were having their hideouts in FATA. Therefore, this cross border attacks paved the way for the US drone strikes in FATA [7].

Launch of Zarb e Azb, a military operation against militants, forced people to move to those places that are safe for them. According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), administration has been trying their level best and providing all those required facilities that IDPs are really needed to fulfil their daily needs and deeds. So, it is crystal clear from the above lines that military operations are the major cause of IDPS creation in Pakistan which further gave birth to other social challenges [8]. Pakistan, after the event of 9/11 and as a front line ally of US lead war on Terror or militancy, has been pushed by to move against those militants who have been hiding in FATA for a long time. Pakistani Military in 2007 and 2008 started military operations against militants in different areas of FATA that ultimately resulted in the creation of IDPs. It has been said that in 2008, 200,000 people moved to Tank and D I Khan to take safe shelter over there.

The writers are of the view that army of the country have largely praised the sophistication of the US Drone strikes [9]. While the Pakistani army believe that, the US Drones strikes are very precise especially when it comes to attack the proposed target. Furthermore, there are very rear chances of attacking innocent people and actually, most of targeted people are the hard-core militants. In addition to this former US president, Barak Obama also endorsed the accuracy of the Drone technology and had stated that it only kill the militants and their sympathizers. He further clarified that each strike is conducted after comprehensive scrutiny about the target.

The Taliban and other fighter groups present in the FATA have given birth to mistrust and anxiety among the locals at large. It is because after each strike the members of these groups come out and start persecuting locals in FATA [10]. The primary aim of Taliban armed groups by doing so is to find or trace out the alleged informers in the area, who are assisting the US Drone operators as well as the Pakistani army in locating their hideouts as well as their leadership. These armed death squads comprised of dozens people, which after arresting the informers, beat them and even sometime put them to death. Whereas, such kinds of crackdowns start after every US Drone strike in FATA. Therefore, such complex situation has compelled the people in FATA to leave the area and migrate to other parts of the country as they feared that they might be arrested by the Taliban fighters as US Drone sympathizers [4]. The incident of 9/11 in US paved the way for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Consequently, the formation of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan took place in FATA, which is an umbrella organization of armed groups, fighting for religious supremacy Pakistan in general and FATA in particular. While, the hardcore splinter groups of Tahrik-I Taliban Pakistan brought a shift in Pakistan’s foreign as well as domestic policy. However, the groups started armed activities inside Pakistan furthermore anti-Pakistan rhetoric’s were also seen on the behalf of these armed groups. Therefore, it seriously put a question mark over security of Pakistan. Further, it was also a challenge for the army of Pakistan as it was another emerging threat apart from other grave issues. So, Pakistani army has been launched several small-scale military operations in FATA. However, Operation Zarb-I-Azb is quite different of its own kind because it is a full fledge military operation against militants in the FATA. Thus, before the launch of military operation Zarb-I-Azb large number of people vacated the area and migrated to other parts of the country, in order to avoid any kind of clash or confrontation in the war between Taliban and army.

It has been said that 2010 was the second consecutive year since the crisis of Afghan refugees which took place in 1979 due to the intervention of former USSR in Afghanistan. The actual strength of refugees at that time exceeded that of registered one. Refugees in Pakistan particularly in KPK in 2009 were mainly caused by Military operations which were launched by against Terrorists who made the region their safe home. It has been estimated that some 2.3 million people were internally displaced to achieve their desired goals.

The army have cleared the North Waziristan from militants and in the last phase of operation Zarb-I-Azb the refuge were send back to their areas. While on returning they found the ground situation quite different from the earlier one. The infrastructure of the area was poorly ruined, the property of the people were badly damaged. In addition to this, the unemployment is sharply increased as due to lack of opportunities. Furthermore, majority of the North Waziristan does not have the basic facilities of life such as education, access to healthy food and health (hospital). While on other hand, psychological anxiety as well as insecurity are still present despite of clearing the area form the militants [8].

This is an explorative study with qualitative research strategy. While the study uses semi structured interviews as research method. Apart from this, existed literature regarding the topic is also utilized.

This study is guided with the political philosophy of “Lee’s Migration Model Theory”. Whereas, this theory was presented by Lee in the year 1966 and has described the reasons of human migration and emigration [11]. Lee [12] believes that the two factors that are responsible for the human migration are pull and push factor. While the push factor encapsulates all those unfavorable conditions of the area that makes someone to leave and migrate (Everett). The examples of push factor could be increased poverty, prevalence of fear, unemployment, famine, war like situation, civil war, political instability, lack of access to education, discrimination, fragile living standards, religious persecution or intolerance etc. Contrary to this, factors that attract someone into an area are called as pull factors. They may be safety, better living standard, labor market, jobs opportunities, attractive climate, stability and security, freedom etc. So, based on this theory every location has certain number of positive as well as negative attributes. Therefore, human migration most of the time took place from an area, when negative attributes that is also called as push factors increased. Consequently, human beings try to find another better place for living [12]. Similarly, FATA is one of the least developed area in Pakistan, where people do not have an access to basic necessities of life [13]. Whereas the area has already witnessed wave of militancy in 1970’s. However, the situation in FATA started worsening right after the incident of 9/11, later on operation enduring freedom and the US Drone strikes further increased complexity in the area. Therefore, since 2004, FATA is facing a worst kind of militancy hence uncertainty and fear has engulfed the very fabric of area. While due to various military operations, the US Drone strikes, denial to education, religious persecution, intolerance, psychological disturbance, lack of freedom of speech and trust in the area are overall acting as push factors for the people in FATA. Thus, these factors are paving the way for the displacement of people from FATA [8].

Profile of operation Zarb-i-Azb

Operation Zarb-i-Azb is the name of comprehensive military operation against the terrorists in North Waziristan. The operation has named after the sword of Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon Him, which He used in the battle of Uhad and Badr [14]. Operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched in North Waziristan in June 2014, right after the failure of peace negotiation between the government of Pakistan and Tehrik-i- Taliban. Apart from the failure of peace talks, certain other terrorist’s activities took place in the country, which played a significant role in shaping the opinion of people against these terrorists. The major terrorists incidents includes the attack over the Jinnah international airport in Karachi, beheading of 23 Frontier Corps personnel’s, and terrorist played football with their heads, killing of General Sanaullah Niazi and etc. Therefore, it made both the political as well as civilian leadership of the country on one page in launching the operation. So the operation was aimed at targeting the sanctuaries of terrorists irrespective of good and bad Taliban, bringing long lasting peace and security to the area, lastly the repatriation of the IDP’s to their homes [15]. The militants groups include Tehrik-i-Taliban, Al Qaeda, East Turkistan Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbakistan, Jindullah, Haqqani network, Afghan Taliban, Lashir-i-Jahangvi etc. In a net shell, Operation Zarb-i-Azb was started with both civilian and military backing [4]. Defense minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif stated, “Operation will continue till it reaches its logical conclusion. Any group that challenge Pakistan’s constitution, attacks civilians, soldiers and government installations and uses Pakistani territory to plan terrorist attacks will be targeted [16]. While on other hand the army Chief General Raheel Sharif called on the officers to eliminate all foreign and local terrorists as well as their hideouts [17]. Thus, after one year of the operation, somewhat 80% area in North Waziristan was cleared from militants.

Migration is not a new issue for the people of FATA as they are facing issues since long; where people are frequently migrating from their native areas due to wave of militancy. However, the army’s involvement in shape of operation Zarb-i-Azb once again made large number of people as IDPs. Therefore, vacating area of North Waziristan before operation and repatriating IDP’s to their area were the biggest challenges for the government of Pakistan. However, government tried its best to assist IDP’s of North Waziristan but despite all they faced innumerable issues at large in the refugee camps. Thus repatriating these IDP’s to their areas, providing them better economic opportunities for livelihood and compensating them with the loss of infrastructure incurred by the military operation are the puzzling questions that need consideration.

Psychological agony

The US Drone strikes in FATA have given birth to Psychological agony among the people in area. The very word psychological agony means the mental unease or a situation of mental anxiety. It is therefore because the US Drone produces the sound somewhat like “Buzz” whereas the locals have given the name Binganna to the sound of US Drone [18]. Therefore, whenever the US Drone is hovering over the people in the area, it is continuously producing such sound that gives birth to fear among the people. It is because they view that they may be subject of target either due to wrong information or due to presence of terrorists in the nearby vicinity. The New York Times Journalist David Rohde, who was miraculously escaped from the Taliban’s captivity in FATA also endorsed the constant fear that comes out from Drone [19]. On other hand intelligence based operations by Pakistani army in FATA has also given birth to a psychological distress among the locals, as they fear that the Pakistani army might arrest them as militant. While, Dr Mufit Khalid has highlighted in his report that roundabout 54 percent people in the conflict zones are subject of depression, insomnia, acute fear, loss of appetite etc. [20].

Economic hardships

Generally, FATA is one the least developed part of Pakistan, whereas 73% of the population is spending their live in poverty [21]. Besides this between 60-80%, population is subject of unemployment. Therefore, in the perspective of already fragile economic conditions, the US Drone strikes have further added colors to it. Actually, Economic loss is taking place at two levels. While the loss that is occurring at state level is uncalculatable, such loss is the decline of tourism sector, productivity of agriculture, shutdown of industrial units, flight of capital from the area etc. [22]. On other hand, it has also effect on individual level like the inflation in prices and shortage of food commodities. Furthermore, sometime single bread earner is either killed or injured, so such cases greatly shock the whole family. Hakeem Khan narrates the story, that one-day the US Drone strike hit his neighbor’s house, meanwhile a debris of it affected his leg and it made him to remain in hospital for more than ten months. During this period, the whole family passed through the hard days of life [19], whereas in the case of death, orphans will have to leave their education and will take the responsibility of caring the family.

Surely, Torkham border is one of the large sources of income for the people of FATA as thousands of families are associated with it. However, it is subject to frequent closure mainly due to military operations, instability in the area. Because of it, the trade volume between the two countries is dropping day by day. This phenomenon of contraction in trade has drastic impact over the country economy in general and on Pashtuns economy in particular [21]. In connection to economic conditions of the area, the imposition of the prolong curfew is another factor which is compelling people to leave their houses, in search of serenity. Clamping curfew in the North Waziristan is no more a new thing, whereas since long they are having it on Sunday. Thus, these factors are weakening the economic fabric of FATA and paving way for the migration of people.

Educational institutions

Most of the time educational institutes are subject of attacks in a war zone area. The reason is that educational institutes turn around the fate of nations. It imparts change in societies, broadens the mental makeup of future generations and enlightens thinking by creativity and innovation. Apart from this, militants groups hold a quite different opinion about the educational system of Pakistan. They are of the opinion that these educational institutions are un-Islamic and inculcating western or secular values in the country [23]. Therefore, such kind of education is against the very principle of Islam. Therefore, they make such claims as base for blowing up educational institutions in FATA. Further, it is interesting to hear that the US Drone strikes has never targeted a single educational institute in FATA. However, the US Drone strikes has indirect impact over the educational setup in the area. As cited earlier that whenever a family member in either killed or injured so the children then forgo their education and start working in order to bear the expenses of the family. Such is the case of Nadia, she narrates her story that “Right now I am ten years old; I was at school when Drone hit my house, which resulted the death of my father and mother, so I was left alone in the family. I then went to my Aunts house who was living in the nearby town, now she is looking after me. Meanwhile I left my school as I had no source of income after the death of my parents” [19]. Another most important thing that needs to be mention here is that the Pakistani army has been assigned the task of maintaining law and order situation in FATA. For this task, large number of army is appointed there in shape of check posts and patrolling. However, they do not have a place in FATA to station, so these military personnel’s are stationed in the government run educational institutes such as schools. Therefore, both Pakistani army and terrorist are in a war against one another in FATA [24]. Most of the time terrorists attack schools as army is stationed there, as a result, this makes an excuse for terrorists to target such institutes. So according to FATA Secretariat reports, so far more than 460 schools have been completely destroyed by terrorists. Thus, the blowing up of each school devoid dozens of students from the opportunity of getting education [25].

Degrading and eliminating militants

Data driven approach shows that Operation Zarb-i-Azb has largely degraded the networks of militant in Waziristan. While General Hassan Azhar Hayat, who commanded somewhat 30,000 Pakistani troops in North Waziristan during the operation Zarb-i-Azb has said that “before 2014 North Waziristan was a hub of terrorist activities, but after the army moved in, the complete agency has been moved [26]. Not only Operation Zarb-i-Azb, the US Drone strikes has also greatly undermined the capability of militants from operating their cells in FATA. The word degradation means, killing of the High Value Individuals (HVI’s) as a result, their top or operational leadership of Al Qaeda and Taliban have been eliminated [27]. On other hand due to constant fear of the US Drone strikes, the lower command of terrorists are no more in a position to carry on their activities neither they can contact one another to organize their movement. Whereas the remaining networks of terrorists in FATA are wiped out by the military operations. Consequently, the organizational setup of various militant groups are now lacking morale and central command [28]. Therefore, the lack of coordination among the terrorist resulted the disintegration of their organizations in FATA. Thus operation Zarb-i-Azb and the US Drone resulted decrease in the terrorist incidents in the country as terrorist were unable to carry their activities [29,30].

Here are the some names of HVI’s which are targeted by the US Drone strikes;

• Baitullah Mehsud Tehrik Taliban Pakistan head killed in August 2009.

• Molvi Nazeer Wazir Taliban’s head in South Waziristan killed in January 2013.

• Wali Muhammad Toofan suicide wing head of Tehrik Taliban Pakistan killed in January 2013.

• Hakeem Ullah Mehsud Tehrik Taliban Pakistan head killed in November 2013.

• Wali ur Rahman, Tehrik Taliban Pakistan second head killed in Waziristan in May 2013.

• Badruddin Haqqani, Haqqani Network Top commander killed in August 2012.

• Ilyas Kashmiri senior member of Al Qaeda and head of Harkat ul Jihad al Islami 313 Brigade (HuJI) killed in June 2011.

• Abu Zaid al Iraqi, Al Qaeda financial chief in Pakistan in February 2011.

• Atiyah Abdul Rahman Al Qaeda top commander after Ayman al Zawahiri killed in August 2011.

• Abu Hafsal Shahri, Al Qaeda operational chief in Pakistan killed in September 2011.

• Taj Gul Mehsud, senior deputy in Tehrik Taliban Pakistan.

• Azmir Khan and Ibrahim Adam, wanted militant in UK killed in N Waziristan.

• Tahir Yaldeshov notorious Uzbak commander killed in August 2009.

• Khan Muhammad deputy commander of Tehrik Taliban Pakistan killed in October 2011.

• Nek Muhammad Wazir, Mujahidin’s top commander killed in June 2004.

• Janbaz Zadran, Haqqani’s top commander of Haqqani Network killed in October 2011.

• Abddul Haq Turkestani Eastern Turkestan Islamic Party head killed in Feb 2010.

• Abu Yahya al Libi Al Qaeda senior member killed in 2008.

• Mustafa Abu Yazir Al Qaeda senior member killed in 2008.

Dislocation of militants

Both operation Zarb-I-Azb and the US Drone strikes have played very important role in dislocation of militants from FATA. It encapsulates the debate that militants are no more having any specific territory under their control, from where they can operate their networks. An example of Shakai and Wana of North Waziristan can be recited here, which used to be the stronghold area of Molvi Nek Muhammad and the area was under his direct control. In connection with this, even in 2004, government concluded a truce with the same notorious commander and the truce is known as “Shakai Agreement” [29]. However, the US Drone strikes have either eliminated this group or the remaining associates fled from the area due to the fear of being targeted. Even the notorious old wazir fighter, Mo, lvi Nek Muhammad himself was killed in a US Drone strike in June 2004 [29]. So as a disruption of their networks, sharp decline can be seen in terrorist’s activities as compared to previous time. In addition to this, the presence of Osama Bin Laden in Abbotabad and the killing of Naseer Uddin Haqqani from Barakahu (who was the top commander of Haqqani network that killed in the Superb of Islamabad) was the proof of the dislocation of the terrorists from FATA. Furthermore, military operation Zarb-I-Azb has pushed out militants across the border into Afghanistan and it is now feared that the borders adjacent provinces could become a “new North Waziristan” [31]. The presence of Movli Fazlullah in Afghanistan is evidence of the aforementioned claim. Thus, it has largely fractured their networks and further recruitments is really a challenging factor for them. While on other hand David Rohde who was in the captivity of Taliban in FATA for eight months, witnessed that the US Drone has disrupted the ground operations of Taliban [20]. He said that they were regularly changing their routes as well as their vehicles. They would go alone or with few guards hence totally avoiding large gatherings. Thus, it means that militants have been subject of disruption from the counter terrorism activities such as military operations and the US Drone strikes.

Trust deficit among the people

Trust deficit is also one of the most important factors that are prevailing among the people in FATA and it is all due to the US Drone strikes and military operations. Actually, CIA operates the US Drone strikes, based on the information provided to them by informers, which are present on the ground. Although the US administration has not shared the mechanism, based on which they are conducting these Drone strikes. However, it is generally believed that the informers place “locating chip” near the proposed target [32]. These placed chips later guide the hovering US Drone, which start surveillance over the target for a long time before it strike it. The surveillance may continue for several days before it is conformed that the proposed target is really a terrorist or not [32]. As a result, people do not stuck in debate with one another regarding the wave of militancy because they view that the other person might be either informer to government or sympathizer to militants. On other hand Taliban’s are continuously tracing the alleged informers, so whenever they arrest alleged informer, they badly torcher it and in some cases they even execute it. They also release the video of the executed people and their aim by doing so is to spread panic and fear among the people, which are assisting the US and Pakistani security forces [33]. While according to the report of Amnesty International, it has said that Mujahidin Khorasan is one of the militant group, which is active in FATA and their prime objective is to kill those people, which are spying for the US in carrying Drone strikes [18]. So due to prevalence of trust deficit in the area, people give preference to migrate from the area, as they view that they might be targeted by any party.

Cultural and social gatherings

Every society in the world have social and cultural gatherings, as it constitute an important unit of a society. Similarly, the US Drone strikes have impacts over such gatherings in FATA. These gathering includes recreational activities, condolence or funeral prayers, wedding, community ceremonies, Jirga and attending Hujras etc. The people in area avoid participating in such gatherings because they believe that Taliban leaders may be present in it, so there are greater chances of the US Drone strikes. Although such kind of US Drone strikes in FATA rarely occurs, one of such case be recited here. It was 17th of March 2011, where Jirga was convened in Datta Khail to sort out the dispute over a Chromite mine between two parties [34]. The attendants of the Jirga were wearing black turban, some government employees along with four members of the Haqqani network too participated in it. Meanwhile the US Drone strike took place and it resulted the death of some 40 people. The US Drone strike of Datta Khail was largely criticized by people both inside and outside the Pakistan. In addition to this, Sameer Rehman a resident of the area says that he does not allow children to visit neighbors because we believe that sitting in congregations could be targeted [34]. Therefore, participation in gatherings is essential for a society as it is compulsory as well as refreshes the mind of a person [35]. So again, due to this large number of people have migrated to other parts of province in order to avoid such kind of anxiety and disturbance in life.

Conclusion

Indeed, operation Zarb-I-Azb in collaboration with the US Drone strikes have played a significant role in weakening and eliminating the networks of terrorists in FATA, while Pakistani army claims that more than 2000 terrorists have been killed during the operation. Whereas, the US Drone strikes which has been started in 2004, has also killed hundreds of hardcore terrorists in FATA. In addition to this, various military operations started in past including Operation Zarb-I-Azb by Pakistani army in FATA have also targeted the hideouts of terrorists. Therefore, it is sure that both the US Drone strikes and operation Zarb-I-Azb on one hand trying to bring peace to the area by targeting militants. However, on other hand they are having some downside effects such as an atmosphere of fear is prevailing in the area. Moreover, people do not have trust on one another as a result insecurity prevails in the area. Apart from this, the educational institutes are frequently subject of targets by militants, as now people do not have no access to basic education in the area. Not only this, the prolonged operation Zarb-I-Azb in North Wazristan has badly undermined other spheres of life like infrastructure of the area, which include roads, sanitation, law and order, agriculture and etc. whereas at present the infrastructure in North Waziristan has been totally collapsed due to the operation that lasted for more then two and a half years. So at present, one of the biggest challenge for the people in FATA in general and particular in North Waziristan is the lack of opportunities for livelihood. Furthermore, war in the area has severely affected the economic condition of the families living in there. Consequently, these all ills are acting as a push factors for the people and has compelled the families in FATA to migrate to other parts of the country with the aim to spend their lives ease. So, it is a better fact that both the US Drone strikes and Operation Zarb-I-Azb have given birth to the phenomenon of internally displaced persons, even though the operation has been over but still hundreds of families are living in other parts of the country rather than their native areas.