KHAR: The Fata Secretariat on Tuesday began providing compensation to the people whose houses have been in use by the security forces for last several years.

About 88 people of Khar subdivision, whose houses have been occupied by security forces since 2010, received cheques of over Rs6.3 million during a ceremony. Tribal elders, members of peace committees and administration officials were in attendance.

Bajaur assistant political agent Sohil Ahmed Khan distributed chequesamong the house owners. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the administration was aware about the problems of the militancy affected people and was committed to providing financial support to them. He lauded the local people for turning over their residences to security forces during the fight against militancy.

Mr Khan said that the local administration and the security forces would never forget their contributions for establishment of durable peace in Bajaur.On the occasion, the house owners thanked the government for financial assistance.

Later, talking to Dawn, assistant political agent said that the compensation amount had been provided by the federal government.

He said that according to the survey conducted by the administration about 240 houses in the entire agency had been in use by the security forces since 2010. He said that compensation would also be provided to the owners of houses in other areas.-Correspondent