NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (retd) has announced a special development package worth Rs 200 million to uplift Ali Khel tribe of Orakzai Agency.
Under the package 25 different schemes relate to education, health, communication and livestock sectors would be executed, besides 31 flood protection Bunds, 10 dug wells and four drinking water supply schemes.
Addressing a big Jirga of elders of Ali Khel tribe of Orakzai Agency at Governor's House here on Thursday afternoon, the Governor also announced establishment of a separate Orakzai Scouts in the Agency for which the recruitment process had been initiated.
The Jirga was attended by tribal elders, besides Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif and Political Agent Fakhr-e-Alam. The Governor informed the Jirga that Chargho Dam had been approved, adding that the dam though small in capacity would cater to the needs of drinking and irrigation water in the area. Governor Aurakzai was satisfied with the law and order situation in Orakzai Agency and urged the elders help maintain the circumstances in future too.
He stressed, "peace is a prerequisite for progress and development". He, however, cautioned the elders about the alien and mischievous elements responsible to create law and order situation in certain tribal areas. He said that the tribesmen of Orakzai Agency should be aware of the upheaval, which the people in Waziristan and Swat had been facing. Referring to sectarian trouble in Kurram Agency, he said that the situation was very tense but the Orakzai Jirga made hectic efforts for creating sectarian harmony in the Agency. Appreciating the commendable endeavours of the elders of Orakzai and Hangu in this regard, the Governor said that tribes of the surrounding Agencies and areas should make efforts to put off the fire rather than fueling it.
Talking about the demands of the Jirga, the Governor said that he was fully aware of the difficulties and development requirements of the tribesmen and assured to resolve their problems, adding Ali Khel and Mamozai development packages would help reduce their sufferings to a great extent.
Highlighting the importance of education he said, "we have earmarked 21% of total Fata outlay for education sector." He added that from the current session, the reserved quota for Fata in Medical colleges had been increased by 30 seats.
"Similar increase has also been made in reserved quota for Fata students in Engineering and Agriculture Universities", he added. He said that Fata seats in the Islamia College University would also be sufficiently increased.
Furthermore he said that Fata would receive 33% share in Islamia College Swabi and 50% in the Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar. He announced a Public School for Ghaljo and said that in future every Agency will have at least one such Public school. He informed the Jirga that Rescue Centre for Orakzai Agency had been sanctioned to provide emergency medicare to the mineworkers.