AMJAD ALI SHAH

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the first thing his government will ensure after coming into power in the upcoming elections will be to ensure merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing the convention, he said that after coming into power in upcoming general elections, the PTI would merge Fata with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that Fata merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would ensure development in tribal areas.

He assured the jurisdictions of Supreme courts would be extended in Fata in six months, if they voted to power in next general elections. He said PTI will start preparations for elections and will end deprivation forever in tribal agencies. He said Fata is blessed with immense natural resources, which would be utilized efficiently.

The PTI chief said that a special development fund is needed for the schools and the other basic facilities that have been destroyed as a result of the 15 years of war. He said Fata would be given representatives in provincial assembly. He said the existing permit system would be abolished in Fata.

Imran Khan said tribal people have various grievances that need urgent attention. He said that check posts and landmines in the tribal agencies should be decreased, as being demanded by the residents.