'Terrorism mentally impacts 80 percent of Waziristan residents'

Islamabad: About 80 percent of the residents of Pakistan's restive South and North Waziristan region have been mentally impacted by terror acts and drone attacks, a survey by an NGO has found.

Dawn reported Tuesday that the drone strikes and acts of terrorism have not just affected the mental health of tribesmen but also the people of settled areas.

"About 80 percent residents of South and North Waziristan agencies have been affected mentally while 60 percent people of Peshawar are nearing to become psychological patients if these problems are not addressed immediately," said the survey, conducted by NGO Horizon.

US drone attacks have repeatedly taken place in the region to take out terrorists. The locals are strongly opposed to the drone strikes.

The survey was carried out under the supervision of psychologist Khalid Mufti.

It showed that that seven to nine percent of the children have become victims of phobia due to constant telecast of terrorism-related visuals by TV channels.

Mufti urged TV channels to avoid showing footage of terror-related incidents to improve the mental health of people and children and sought the creation of job opportunities and recreational activities to improve the lives of people living in the restive areas.

Mufti said during the past 10 years, the youth were confronted with mental and economic pressure while children and women faced depression due to the uncertain situation.

"These problems need to be addressed for survival of our young generation and improving lifestyle of people," he was quoted as saying.

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Humayun's Tomb, one of the country's first garden mausoleum and a Unesco World Heritage Site, is getting a makeover to resemble its original state with a unique not-for-profit private-public conservation project partnered by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Dorabji Tata Trust and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

(Photo: IANS)