Q+A - What next for Pakistan's displaced?

By Jason Subler

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has started busing home some of the more than 2 million people displaced by fighting that broke out between the army and Taliban militants in the country's northwest over two months ago.

Following are some questions and answers about the plight of those people, many from the northwest Swat valley, and the future challenges to relief efforts that could come about when the military launches its expected new offensive against the Taliban in the South Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan.

HOW QUICKLY WILL THE PROCESS OF RETURN BE COMPLETED?

Though the government started bringing people home to Swat on Monday, it will hardly be a sudden return. Authorities are conducting the return in phases, starting with the more than 20 tented camps where about 280,000 of the displaced are living.

However, most of the displaced are living with family or friends in "host communities" and will have to wait if they want to go back under the government programme. The government is now allowing people to return on their own, but they face long identity checks at checkpoints, and many lack the cash to cushion their returns.

Aid workers say many of the displaced are concerned about security and afraid to go home, and that the overall process could take weeks or even months. The government says it hopes the return can be completed in 40 days.