PM for institutional structure in areas under FATA to ensure smooth transition

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Justice (Retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk Wednesday called for establishing institutional structure in the areas previously under FATA and said the federal government was working in close coordination with the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to facilitate residents of the area and ensure smooth transition.

Chairing a meeting on law and order in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Prime Minister appreciated the considerable improvement in the law and order situation in the province since 2009 and lauded the sacrifices rendered by the people of KP and the security personnel and officials of law enforcing agencies for restoring peace in KP.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements made for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the general election 2018 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said facilitating free, fair and peaceful elections was the joint responsibility of the federal and provincial governments.

The meeting held at Governor House, Peshawar was attended by Governor KP Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Chief Minister KP Justice (Retd) Dost Muhammad Khan, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Tahir, Provincial Election Commissioner and senior officers of the federal and provincial governments.

IGP Muhammad Tahir gave a detailed briefing about the prevailing law and order situation, including an update on crimes against person and property, arrest of proclaimed offenders, recovery of weapons and targets achieved under the National Action Plan.

It was informed that 1306 officials of the KP Police have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty since 2004. The meeting was also briefed about the security arrangements made by the provincial government for the security of CPEC projects in the province.

The IGP also informed about the requirements for policing in view of the changed dynamics of the province, after merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that apart from KP Police, Frontier Constabulary, Levies, Gilgit Baltistan and AJK Police would also be deployed for ensuring security during the general election 2018 in the province.

The Prime Minister also held separate meetings with the Governor and Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Governor House.