PESHAWAR: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed inaugurated on Saturday a passport office in Miranshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan. This is the first passport office ever established in a tribal district.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony attended by tribal elders and notables of the area, the interior minister said the government was committed to bringing about the merged districts' socioeconomic uplift, saying more allocations were in the pipeline.
He paid tribute to the tribal people for defeating enemies of the country and giving unprecedented sacrifices for the protection of the Motherland and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army against the terrorists.
The minister thanked the tribal people for the support they extended to the armed forces in the restoration of durable peace in the region.
"You tribal people fight the war for survival of the country, and the entire nation is proud of your bravery and sacrifices," he said.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that personally he was in favor of the Jirga system as it provided the best alternative justice system and would talk to the prime minister to set up a Jirga in the area. He said that the social fabric of Waziristan was very unique, adding that the government would work to strengthen local customs, traditions and laws.
The minister said he would also hold talks with the law minister to frame laws in line with local customs and traditions. He said that the locals would be recruited for the passport office on merit. He also announced two NADRA mobile vans for registration process in remote areas of North Waziristan.
He said that immigration process would be made easy at the Pak-Afghan border to facilitate movement at the border, adding that a passport office would also be set up at Angor Adda. The minister said that internet services had been restored to South Waziristan and this facility would be extended to North Wazirisitan this year.
Earlier, tribal elders and local people warmly received the interior minister on his arrival in North Waziristan and presented him with a traditional Pakhtun turban. They briefed the minister about various problems being faced by the local people.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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