LANDI KOTAL: President Mamnoon Hussain has announced billions of rupee development schemes for Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He said that the people of tribal areas have bravely faced adverse conditions and saved other areas of the country from many problems. It would not be an exaggeration if you are given the title of Mohsin-e-Pakistan, stated the President.

The President said this while addressing Khyber Agency Jirga in Landi Kotal on Thursday.

The President said that the nation is proud of the people of FATA for their extraordinary services in the fields of economy, trade, politics and all walks of life. The President said that the government is giving priority to rebuilding of infrastructure, schools, colleges and hospitals in the tribal areas destroyed in acts of terrorism.

The President stressed that after completion of the operation it is essential that the civil administration takes over control of the area. New vacancies have been approved in the levies for this purpose and necessary equipment is also being provided to them.

He said that the project for development of Bazar Zakha Khel and Bara has been included in the annual development programme and work is in progress for improvement in Malagori Industrial Zone. He announced that approval has been accorded for construction of road to link Bara with Tirah and Jamrud with Chapri adding that work for completion of these projects will begin soon.

The President said instructions have been issued to Director Education to complete the process for new vacancies for the promotion of higher education ensuring that no student is deprived of admission. The President assured the tribal notables and members of parliament that FATA Reforms Commission will soon complete its work in consultation with the tribal notables and members of parliament to reform the system and to bring FATA at par with other areas of the country. The President announced construction of new roads and sports stadium in the tribal areas.

The President stated that the tribes and their elders must stand by the government in order to completely eradicate terrorism for which the tribal elders and the people have already constituted monitoring bodies. The President assured that the monitoring bodies would not only be strengthened but they would also be given powers to solve their problems.

The President noted with satisfaction that the process for repatriation of the displaced persons is continuing at a fast pace and more than 66 thousand families have returned to Khyber Agency alone after the launch of operation Khyber-I. The President assured the tribal people that the government will not leave them alone. On the occasion the President announced a grant of Rs. 20 lacs for the Jirga.

In his address, Governor KPK Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi said that it has been decided to grant domicile to the minorities living in the tribal areas adding that they would also be given representation in the Jirga.-PR