Merging of FATA with KP in best interest of people; tribal traditions to be upheld: PM

GHALANAI (Mohmand): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that merging erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas(FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a great step and in the best interest of local people as it would bring development and prosperity in the terrorism-hit areas.

Talking with tribal elders, the Prime Minister assured them that the merger would not affect the tribal traditions, based on Islam, and rather the areas would go along side the development process.

He said tribal areas had strong traditions and love for Islam and the government would focus on development and prosperity of the areas.

He said the people of former FATA had suffered a lot in the war against terrorism and these areas were badly hit from militancy.

“Once the tribal areas were known as “Ellaqa Ghair” (No-go areas) but today these areas have become settled areas and the merger will bring prosperity in lives of the tribal people ,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the merger process would ensure a series of development projects in these areas where the people would have access to education, health and employment.

He said the government would promote tourism in tribal districts, keeping in view the high potential.

About allocation of funds for various development projects, the Prime Minister said the decision was being taken as to how the development funds would be spent.

The Prime Minister said Mohmand Dam in the area was a big project which would bring development here and the local people would get jobs at their doorstep.

The Prime Minister also announced launching of Insaf Health Cards for the people of Mohmand district, which would allow one household to get medical treatment from private or government hospitals up to Rs 720,000. He said the Sehat card was a blessing for the poor people of the area.

Earlier, the Prime Minister chaired a briefing about the administrative reforms and security situation of former FATA's merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting reviewed administrative reforms, people representation and local bodies system, steps for social welfare and uplift schemes and completion of a road-map of the federal government in that regard.

The Prime Minister said that launching of judicial system in the merged areas was of paramount importance. He said that development schemes in the merged areas ought to be corruption-free and distribution of funds must be judicious.

The briefing was attended by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Communication Minister Murad Saeed, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri, Prime Minister’s Advisor Muhammad Shazad Arbad, State Minister for Interior Shaharyar Afridi, Corps Commander Peshawar, and Additional Chief Secretary and IG FC.