Pakistani president expresses concern over displacement of people in war-hit are

ISLAMABAD, May 10 -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday expressed concern over the displacement of people from the northwestern parts of the country in the wake of the ongoing operation in the area and directed the federal government to properly look after the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Thousands of people have fled the Swat valley and the Malakand area as the security forces launched the full-scale operation against the militants there.

In a statement from New York, Zardari said that he would continue his drive for garnering international support for the rehabilitation of the IDPs which he described as one of the top priorities of the nation.

Zardari said that the government should utilize all resources for the proper rehabilitation of IDPs, particularly the women and children.

He said that the government should mobilize all the relevant institutions to provide necessary facilities to the IDPs, including the residential facilities.

Zardari also appreciated Pakistan's armed forces for their courage in the war against terrorism and militancy.

On May 7, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, in his televised address to the nation, declared that the operation had become inevitable to restore law and order and ensure peace and security in the country, particularly in Swat and Malakand.