Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the sacrifices made by the people of tribal areas for the greater glory of the nation will never be forgotten and he had no doubt that they will always stay in the forefront of the country's defence.
The PM said this while talking to the NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd) who called on him at the Prime Minister House on Sunday.
Shaukat expressed the hope that the grand jirga being convened in the tribal areas will create greater cohesion and unity in the people and also enable them to protect the country against elements who are working against the interests of the country.
He said that the government is committed to bringing about a socio-economic transformation in the tribal areas to bring it at par with other parts of the country.
PM said unprecedented funds have been allocated for the uplift of tribal areas and network of roads, schools, hospitals and income and employment generation schemes are being developed there to provide basic necessities of life at the gross roots level.
The Prime Minister however, made it clear that the government fully respects tribal culture and traditions and wants the people to grow and prosper within their value system.
They discussed the damage caused by the flash floods in NWFP and the need for co-operation between federal government and provincial authorities.
Shaukat assured the governor that federal government will share the relief activities with the provincial government to restore the normal life in the flood-affected areas.
The governor apprised the Prime Minister of the steps being taken to redress the grievances of the people of the tribal areas and improve their economic well-being.