Fata's annual development programme has been raised to Rs 10 billion for the next financial year and this will greatly raise the development process in the tribal areas.
NWFP governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd) said this and urged upon the tribesmen to maintain peace and extend co-operation to the government so that the process goes unhindered and the government's effort for prosperity of the tribal population bears fruits.
Addressing a representative tribal Jirga of Ali Khel tribe of Orakzai Agency here at the Governor House on Thursday, the Governor said that a mega development programme for the sustainable development of Fata had also been prepared, which envisages spending of Rs 124 billion over the next nine years. The plan will ensure completion of big projects in almost all the sectors, which would bring a qualitative change in the lives of the tribesmen and improve the quality of life of the people of Fata.
Former MNA Malik Muhammad Afzal and Maulvi Abdul Akbar apprised the Governor about the problems and development needs of their area. Additional Chief Secretary Fata Javed Iqbal, Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif and Agency Political Agent Dr Fakhr-e-Alam were also present on the occasion.
Governor Aurakzai observed that lack of education and employment opportunities for the young generation were some of the reasons for its relative backwardness. "The tribal areas can not see real change unless we remove poverty and provide job opportunities to the youth of Fata", he remarked.
Speaking about the unprecedented development initiatives taken by the present government during the past five years, Governor Aurakzai said that the federal government was providing the required resources for development of Fata. He dispelled the impression that certain NGOs were involved in the development activities in Fata saying that the entire development activities were being carried out by the line departments and government functionaries.
On a point raised by the Jirga members the Governor said that issuance of national identity cards to tribesmen and preparation of electoral rolls would be made easy and accessible. He however stressed that the womenfolk should not be deprived of the right of identity cards and enlistment of their names in the voters' list.
He argued that women constitute half of the population and if they were left out then the entire Agency would suffer because the development funds and other benefits were distributed on the basis of population. The Governor asked the Jirga to take a decision after consultation with their people.
Governor Ali Jan informed the Jirga that Zakat Ordinance had been extended to Fata and the poor and destitute people would get financial help besides free medicines out of Zakat fund. He said that Zakat Council for Fata had already been constituted whereas Zakat committees at Agency and Tehsil level would be formed soon.
The Governor appreciated the collective decision of Ali Khel tribe to refrain from taking part in the conflict of others or allowing groups to use their area for anti-social activities. He said that the tribesmen of other Agencies should also follow suit and enter into a tribal pledge vowing not to bring the conflicts of other areas to their soil.