Northwest Frontier Pakistan (NWFP) Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman, while stressing the need of maintenance of law and order in the Federally-Administered Tribal Area (Fata), has asked the tribes of Orakzai Agency to ensure sectarian cohesion in their respective areas. He was addressing a big tribal jirga during his visit to Orakzai Agency at Kalaya on Tuesday.
The governor said since all the people of the agency belonged to one tribe, therefore the peaceful situation in the area should also be exemplary, adding they should reach on mutual agreements in this respect so as the development process could be successfully completed.
The governor expressed the hope that the tribes of Orakzai Agency would resolve their internal feuds through mutual understanding.
While referring to the prevailing situation in Orakzai Agency, the governor said no one would be allowed to carry out their agenda in the garb of Taleban Movement in the area. The writ of the prevailing law in the agency would be ensured, under which the disputes amongst different tribes had to be resolved through jirga system and in accordance with the respective values and customs, he added.
While highlighting the importance of education in the Fata, the governor urged the tribal elders that they should equip their new generation with the ornament of education to ensure prosperous future for them.
The governor also declared that such a transparent system of governance would be established in Fata under which no one would be in a position to misuse a single penny of the government funds, meant for development purposes, nor the sale and purchase of government development projects could become possible. Rather, he said, utilisation of the entire development funds would be ensured to meet the genuine demands and requirements of the people judiciously.
He urged the tribal people to give preference to their collective interests over individual benefits and indicate the projects of collective benefits.
The governor also made it clear that poppy cultivation would never be allowed at any cost and advised the farmers to shift over to alternate cash crops which would be far better in their interests. The government, he remarked, would also extend every support and co-operation to them in that respect.
He further said the government would introduce the new ways and means towards the exploitation of mineral wealth in Fata, due to which their income would be tremendously enhanced.
Talking about the development process in Orakzai Agency, he said that almost Rs 500 millions were being spent on about 100 development projects of different nature in the agency during the current financial year.
Referring to the demands presented in the welcome address, the governor said that electrification facility would be increased but the respective people must have to install meters and pay charges, adding the government was suffering from a loss of almost Rs 12 billions annually on account of electricity in the Fata.
He disclosed that almost Rs 70 millions were being spent on sixteen roads construction projects in the agency.
Referring to the prospects of agricultural development in the agency, the governor said, grafting of olive plants was being conducted on vast level and after successful completion of the process, a new era of development would usher in the agency.
Similarly, he said coal deposits were also abundantly available in the agency and regretted that this precious wealth was also suffering because of internal tribal feuds and ultimately the tribes themselves were to suffer.
In response to another demand, he also directed the concerned authorities to expedite the pace of work on the ongoing development projects in the agency.
The governor also disclosed that the documentation process on the construction of Khankai Small Dam project was already in progress and on its completion practically construction work would be taken in hand.
He also disclosed that appointment on contract basis would be made to meet the demand of teaching staff in the educational institutions in Fata.
The governor also expressed concern over the reports of Hepatitis cases in the agency and described them as highly dangerous. He also promised to send medical experts to determine the nature, extent and causes of the spread of disease. He also declared to enhance treatment facilities in the agency as well.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Tourism Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal, who was elected MNA from the Agency, presenting the welcome address highlighted the developmental requirements of the area, and thanked the governor for paying the visit to the agency.
The meeting was also attended by Senator Tahir Iqbal Orakzai and Senator Syed Javed Hussain besides the elders of different sub-sections of the tribes. Principal Secretary to Governor Brigadier Asad Munir (Retd) and Political Agent of the agency Sher Alam Jann Mahsud were also present on the occasion.
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