In 2014 the Pakistan Army launched a clearance operation in the tribal district of North Waziristan to wipe out militant bases and bring an end to a bloody insurgency. The operation is now in its final stages, and the army says peace is returning to the region. To celebrate, Pakistan's army held an international cricket match at a newly-built stadium. Our correspondent Danial Khan has this report.

 

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "For its part Pakistan often gives safe havens to to the agents of violence and chaos and terror."

 

This was US president Donald trump, accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists. And this is Miranshah in north Waziristan, once a stronghold of the Taliban. Organized by the Pakistan army in the heart of the tribal agency, the friendly cricket match between the teams from UK and Pakistan dispelled the idea that the region shelters terrorists.

 

TOM GIBBS UK CRICKETER "We've heard all these stories but i think today is a great chance to show the other side of pakistan and waziristan in particular, we feel very safe here and the crowd here shows that there is a lot of enthusiasm for the game of cricket for peace, which is wonderful."

 

Thousands flocked the younis khan cricket stadium to cheer their favourite stars at the peace cup 2017.

 

YOUNIS KHAN, FORMER CAPTAIN PAKISTAN CRICKET TEAM "Everything is in front of you, everyone is very happy especially the local tribe, everybody knows they all love sports they all love pakistan and these kinds of activities show that Pakistan is a very positive nation and we all love sports."

 

As the crowd waved signs of love and peace. The authorities vowed to keep the area free of militants.

 

MAJOR GENERAL ASIF GHAFOOR PAKISTANI ARMY SPOKESPERSON "Most of the people have heard bad about north waziistan and they still do not want to believe that life has come back to normal, so today is the opportunity that the world should see that peace has come to north waziristan and the people of pakistan have said no to terrorism."

 

The match between Pakistan and UK made up of several former cricketing giants, surprised the audience.

 

EHTISHAM UL HAQ RESIDENT OF WAZIRISTAN "The people of waziristan are very happy and thankful to the pakistan army, they have brought peace in this region. This cricket tournament is called the peace match. We are very happy today."

 

Miranshah stretches along the Afghan border, and was once the hub of Taliban insurgents, that hosted foreign militants including Al-Qaeda and the Haqqani Network. The people who had to flee during the army operation left everything behind and returned to devastation.

 

ISMAIL KHAN, TRIBAL ELDER MIRANSHAH "We had lands and properties here, when we were leaving during the war, we were millionaires but when we returned we were reduced to nothing."

 

But experts say these sacrifices have not gone in-vain and that the presence of an international cricket team is enough to reject the recent accusations of US president.

 

DANIAL KHAN NORTH WAZIRISTAN "With the conclusion of several army operations and the continuing operation Zarb-e-azb, the people of north Waziristan feel that the wall is finally over and peace and stability has finally come back. Danial khan, CGTN Miranshah, North Waziristan."