'New democratic era in Fata to enable people join mainstream politics'

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Barrister Masood Kausar on Friday said the advent of democratic process in Fata would not only strengthen democracy but also enable the tribal people to join the national political stream and play a role in the national politics.
"The tribal people should participate in political activities by joining a political party of their choice," he said while talking to a delegation of elders of Utmankhel tribe of Bajaur Agency at the Governor House. Members of the delegation including Malik Zahir Shah, Mufti Muhammd Tayyab, Malik Bakht Rawan, Malik Amir Jamal, Malik Dost Muhammad and other condemned the Nato attack on checkposts in Mohmand Agency and assured that the tribesmen belonging to Utmankhel tribe were ready to offer any sacrifice for the solidarity and security of the country.
The governor said that the process of change in FATA had started and the tribesmen would witness more people's friendly actions to be taken by the government to address their outstanding demands and aspirations.
He said extension of the Political Parties Order and amendments in the FCR were the hallmark in the advent of a new democratic era in FATA. "This will enable the tribesmen to get all those facilities and rights, which the people of other areas have been entitled to," he added.
The governor said that FATA administration had been made responsive to the people's problems and advised to adopt a people's friendly attitude in conformity with the changed circumstances. He said that infrastructure in FATA had been severely damaged with regard to progress and development due to militancy. The governor said that the present government had despite all these difficulties and hurdles tried to continue the development process.
"We have raised the FATA development outlay manifold bringing it to an unprecedented level of Rs 15 billion," he said. The governor paid tributes to the people of Bajaur Agency saying that they have offered valuable sacrifices to curb militancy and bring peace and stability to the Agency. He said that the government and the people of Pakistan were indebted to the people of Bajaur Agency.
He said that the tribal youth was the main focus of government's attention adding that they would be provided ample employment opportunities by equipping them with skill and technical expertise. "More than one Technical Training Centre is being established in every tribal agency to train the tribal youth in different trades' according to market requirements," he added.
Talking about the demands of the delegation, which mostly related to social sectors facilities and services, the governor said that health and education were the two sectors prioritised for development and their demands in these sectors would be accommodated. He said other demands would also be considered at appropriate level for fulfilment. He sought for a detailed report from the political administration of Bajaur Agency regarding vacant posts in the Agency so that efforts could be made to fill in these posts.