The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engineer Shaukatullah has said that the difficulties being faced by the tribes across Fata are generally of common nature and we all must be thankful to the President, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari for providing us the opportunity to resolve them at our own.
This, he added, is a chance which we must fully capitalize both in our own interests and for betterment of the coming generations too.
Addressing big jirgaz of tribal elders hailing from Khyber, Bajaur, South Waziristan, and Kurram agencies which called on him separately at Governor’s House, Peshawar on Sunday, the Governor said, “he, indeed feel proud on the un-flinching commitment of the people FATA towards our beloved country, Pakistan which beyond doubt is all of us as well and In sha Allah we always will upheld this sacred commitment in future too”.
Responding to various points raised by the tribal elders, the Governor said, holding of ensuing general elections in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere is also our national responsibility and there is a need that the people of FATA should also never lag behind in making this possible. Maintenance of peaceful and amicable situation, the Governor said, is also must for smooth conduct of the elections which will offer them an opportunity to elect their representative in accordance with their choice. The amendments accrued to the FCR over the recent past, the Governor said, have been in line with the aspirations of the tribal people and in future too, the desires of the people of FATA will take lead to further amend this law.
The Governor, however, also realized the tribal elders that the maintenance of peace and normalcy is the foremost requirement not only to carry forward developmental activities for ensuring socio-economic uplift of the people but also bring further improvement in standard of life. Therefore, he said, we all must also have to fulfill our responsibilities for making this possible. No doubt, he said, the situation in immediate neighbouring country, Afghanistan always bears effects on our side yet, we also have to play a positive role to help in restoration of peace and normalcy over there. The Governor particularly paid tributes to the people of Khyber Agency for having been suffered additionally because of being the international route and expressed the confidence that they would always be conscious of their responsibilities in this respect in future too.
Referring to a point, the Governor also assured the tribal jirga from Khyber Agency that the construction project of Peshawar to Torkham Road was launched by the President himself and Inshaullah it will be completed. He also assured the tribal elders that he has already initiated his visits to FATA and he will fully honour their invitations to visit the remaining tribal agencies in near future. While addressing the tribal jirga from South Waziristan, the Governor highly eulogized the spirit and determination of the people of the agency for bringing peace and said that by extending un-flinching support and cooperation to Pak Army; local administration and other law enforcement agencies, besides maintaining unity in their own ranks, they indeed have set themselves as role model for rest FATA.
He also mentioned the construction of roads and establishment of cadet colleges and hospitals at the hand of Pak Army in South Waziristan Agency and highly appreciated the spirit of the tribal elders for honouring its services with great respect and regard.
