'Government to protect life of people in Kurram Agency at any cost'

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Masood Kausar has assured Kurram Peace Jirga that the government would protect the life and property of the people of Kurram Agency at every cost. However, he asserted that maintenance of peace in the Agency needed collective efforts by all stakeholders whereas the government will fulfil the responsibility.
"This is not an issue of certain area but a national challenge and we have to meet this challenge collectively with national spirit," the Governor told the Jirga that met him on Wednesday at Governor's House. Additional Secretary FATA Fazal Karim Khattak besides Munir Orakzai and Sajid Hussain Tori MNAs were also present.
The Governor said that their policy about peace in FATA was very clear. "We consider peace as need of the hour and the sought-after requirement", the Governor said adding that the government would not hesitate to take extreme action to ensure peace in Kurram Agency.
He said the problem in Kurram Agency was created by a handful of miscreants, as people of the Agency had no involvement in it. He stressed that elders and people from both the sides should identify the miscreants, who were creating rift, enmity and misunderstandings amongst them.
The Governor said that people of Kurram Agency were peace loving. They should realise their responsibilities and cooperate with each other for maintenance of peace, which was in their own interest. The Governor said that miscreants had no affiliation with any religion, ideology and sect. They are miscreants by nature and their sole objective was to create anarchy for the sake of their own wicked agenda.
The Governor appreciated the efforts of Kurram Peace Jirga saying that creating consensus and reaching peace accord was a big achievement. "Now we must take practical and positive steps to further this achievement and carry it to its logical conclusion that is peace, stability and harmony," the Governor stressed and assured the Jirga that government would fully support the Jitga's endeavours.
Talking about the release of funds for Kurram Package announced by the Prime Minister, the Governor said that the delay might be due to some technical reasons and assured that he would make efforts to have the funds released at the earliest.
Earlier, Munir Orakzai, Sajid Hussain Turi, Malik Waris Khan Afridi and other members of the Jirga informed the Governor about the difficulties and impediments in the smooth implementation of the peace accord. They stressed the need for securing Thal - Parachinar road for commuters and the release of funds under Kurram package to initiate rehabilitation and development process in the area.