Pakistani refugees return to Swat Valley’s main town

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Thousands more refugees returned Tuesday to the battle-scarred Swat Valley as Pakistani authorities struggled with transport bottlenecks and the refusal of some of the estimated 2 million people displaced by fighting with the Taliban to leave refugee camps until they receive promised financial assistance.

An army spokesman, Lt. Col. Waseem Shahid, said more than 900 families returned Tuesday to government-approved zones, an increase from the 650 families who went home Monday, the first day of the government-organized repatriation program.

Authorities have declared most of Swat cleared of Taliban militants after nearly three months of fighting. The military campaign against the Taliban was strongly backed by the United States, which is eager for Pakistan to crack down on militants blamed for attacks in Afghanistan.

The government plan calls for about 200,000 refugees staying in camps to return first. But thousands of others who sought refuge with family or friends have also been rushing back, causing traffic jams at crossing points into the valley.

Authorities decided to ease restrictions but were still trying to keep parts of the valley off-limits, said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for the North West Frontier Province.

That appeared to be a tough task. Hundreds of families, for example, arrived Tuesday in Mingora, Swat’s main town, even though people were not supposed to return there until later this month.

Anwarul Haq was among about 1,200 refugees who spent one night under the open sky waiting for security forces to let them return home. Authorities at a major entry point into the valley eventually relented and allowed them to return.

“It’s great to be back in our own town and home,” he said.

Authorities also said they were working to fix “technical problems” in disbursing financial aid. Families who request it have been promised about $300 given through so-called “smart cards,” but only about half the cards have been issued, Hussain said.