KP-Fata merger celebrated in Mohmand Agency

Tribal elders, political leaders and media representatives gathered in the political compound at Ghalanai Headquarters of Mohmand agency on the invitation of Political Agent Mohmand Agency and Commandant Mohmand Rifles to celebrate the historic Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata merger.
At least 200 prominent elders, leaders and members of civil society participated in the Iftaar. Speaking on the occasion Commandant Mohmand Rifles Colonel Arfan Ali congratulated the elders on the formal launch of the reform process in Fata. He cited the sacrifices rendered by the military and the proud tribal people in attaining sustainable peace in the region. He emphasized the need for the translation of this peace dividend into an all-encompassing prosperity for the tribal belt and Mohmand Agency.
Political Agent Wasif Saeed felicitated the participants and stated that it was a blessing that this historical event of Merging FATA into KP took place in the holy month of Ramazan. He said that the tribal people and military had rendered countless sacrifices especially over the last 18 years.
"Times had changed and now it was not possible to usher prosperity in FATA without introducing institutional and legal reform" said Saeed. PA Mohmand said that tradition and transition will go in tandem to ensure that the peace dividend ushers in an area of prosperity and plenty for the whole of Fata and Mohmand Agency. He conveyed that transition will take place phase wise and the people, tribal elders and civil society in FATA will be part of the consultative process.
He added that Mohmand agency will have a share of at least 14 billion in the 100 billion Per Year Socio Economic Development plan for successive 10 years. This funding will be in addition to Fata Annual Development Program funding, donor funding for the agency and any special programme funding earmarked for the agency Wasif Saeed told.
It was elaborated that setting up local government system in FATA was the corner stone of mainstreaming of Fata, he added. He said Local government elections were planned to be held in October and as indicated 40 percent of the funding of socio economic development plan was to be utilized by local bodies. This translated roughly as 5 to 6 billion rupees.