Asfandyar for revival of educational institutes, provision of basic facilities in merged areas

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party central President Asfandyar Wali Khan here on Friday called upon the federal and provincial governments to take pragmatic steps for revival of educational activities and institutes in merged districts.

In a statement, he said that several educational institutions got damaged in military operation against terrorists in the merged districts while basic infrastructure facilities and houses had also been damaged.

He said the federal and provincial government should have to take measures for provision of early basic facilities in the merged districts and resettlement of tribal people in their respective areas, adding the Prime Minister should also have to announce construction of houses for tribal people in terrorism hit areas.

Expressing concern over reported landmines in some of tribal areas, Asfandyar urged early cleansing operation to protect precious lives of tribal people.

Referring to the issue of blockage of CNIC of Pakhtuns by NADRA, the ANP leader said that the issue was lingering from a long time and the government should have to address it as soon as possible.

He said electricity loadshedding and unavailability of mobile services in merged districts were creating problems for tribal people and need attention of the government.

Asfandyar demanded implementation of all the announcements made by the Prime Minister and provincial ministers during their visit to the tribal districts and also called for pragmatic measures for administrative and financial reforms in the merged districts. He demanded of the formation of 9th NFC award for judicious distribution of resources among the federating units with sufficient allocation for the merged districts.

He held the reduction in exports of the country to the closure of roads leading to Afghanistan, saying that the export could be enhanced to the central asian republics if the corridors were opened on the pattern of Kartarpur.

He said ‘Gurr’ (jaggery) has largest production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but it could not be exported to Afghanistan and other countries of the region due to border closure and unrest in the region.

Asfandyar said his party would fully participate in the upcoming general elections for the KP assembly seats of the merged areas.