US pledges 250 mln USD for Pakistan's displaced persons

Visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pledged 250 million U.S. dollars for Pakistan's displaced persons resulted from anti-Taliban operation in North Waziristan tribal region as Pakistan and the United States concluded their Strategic Dialogue here on Tuesday.

Officials say that nearly one million people were uprooted when the Pakistani security forces launched the long-awaited major offensive against the Taliban in North Waziristan in June last year.

The military says the repatriation of the Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) will begin next month in phases.

Pakistan's top Foreign Affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz said on Tuesday the country would need 1.5 to 2 billion dollars for the rehabilitation of the displaced people.

Secretary Kerry, who led the U.S. team in the Strategic Dialogue, pledged to continue U.S. support for these efforts and has committed approximately 250 million dollars to assist in the relief, return and rehabilitation of TDPs, and will continue discussions as needs emerge, the Foreign Ministry said.

Most of the displaced persons live in Bannu, a main town near North Waziristan, and several nearby districts in rented houses and with communities. Several thousand had also crossed into Afghanistan's Khost and Paktika provinces.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the two-day dialogue said Secretary Kerry expressed support for the Pakistan military's ongoing operations in the tribal areas and the progress achieved so far.

Secretary Kerry and Pakistani Adviser Sartaj Aziz reviewed the concrete results being achieved by the operation and discussed Pakistan's efforts to strengthen governance, expand development, and facilitate the return and rehabilitation of temporarily displaced persons in the tribal areas.

"Secretary Kerry expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of Pakistan's military personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism and extremism, and he commended Pakistan's resolve and the steps being taken to tackle terrorism in a comprehensive and robust manner," the statement said.

Kerry welcomed assurances of Pakistan's intent to dismantle all militant safe havens for terrorist and criminal networks, the statement said.

Secretary Kerry and the Pakistani adviser welcomed the call by the new Afghan government to the Afghan Taliban and all armed opposition groups to resolve differences through political means. The Foreign Affairs Adviser reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to facilitate the efforts of the Afghan government for peace and reconciliation.

Both delegations recognized that an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process is vital for achieving long-term peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan and the region.

They noted that a peaceful, stable, independent, united and prosperous Afghanistan is vital for peace and stability in the region. Secretary Kerry welcomed the renewed and intensified engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including President Ashraf Ghani's visit to Pakistan.

Secretary Kerry encouraged continued dialogue and cooperation between both sides, recognizing the importance of cooperation to the stability of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the broader region.

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