The Senate on Monday passed a unanimous resolution in favour of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) for implementing the job quota policy and recommending other incentives to bring the region at par with other parts of the country.
The resolution was moved by FATA Senator Hafiz Rashid, which was supported by all the parties urging the government to take steps on war footings for providing special incentives and facilities to residents of FATA aimed at ending poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
The lawmakers from both sides of the aisles were on the same page on the point that poverty, unemployment and illiteracy are the main causes of terrorism and extremism in the tribal areas. Some of the members called for mainstreaming the peace loving and patriotic tribal people in political and economic development. Lawmakers from FATA urged the government to take immediate steps to end the on-going military operation in FATA to solve political and economic problems, faced by the people.
In his concluding remarks, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan said there was two percent quota for FATA in federal government jobs and it is being implemented. He said 2,500 jobs have also been allocated to the tribal areas and the number would be increased to 15,000 by next year. He said salaries of Levy personnel have been brought at par with Police.
The Minister maintained that development budget of FATA, which was five billion rupees during previous government, has been raised to 21 billion rupees this year and would be increased further next year. He said the President has initiated the political reform process in FATA, but it has been delayed due to the law and order situation.
Some of the lawmakers lamented that the issue of reforms in FATA was not taken up along with the recent constitutional reforms. The members demanded announcement of special package for FATA to bring it at par with other regions of the country. The members demanded announcement of special package for setting up tax-free industrial zones in FATA aimed at creating job opportunities for the people at their door step. Those who participated in the debate included Senators Abbas Khan, Abdul Rashid, Abdul Rahim Mandokhel, Haji Ghulam Ali, Raja Zafarul Haq, Ilyas Ahmad Bilour and Dr Khalid Mahmood Soomro.
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