Lieutenant General Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd), Governor of NWFP, on Saturday tendered his resignation after serving as governor of the province for a period of about one and half years. The Governor Balochistan Owais Ahmad Ghani is likely to be appointed as the new governor. Ghani belongs to NWFP and is the scion of Nishter family.
Aurakzai, who hails from Orakzai Agency of the tribal belt was appointed governor in May 2006. During his stint as governor of the province, he signed North Waziristan Peace Agreement with the tribesmen, which triggered criticism in the Western world. Aurakzai had also served as Peshawar Corps Commander and was retired from the military in 2004.
Meanwhile, Aurakzai held farewell meetings with officials on Saturday. He visited the Fata Secretariat on Warsak Road and Fata Development Authority in University Town and addressed meetings. Aurakzai citing personal reasons for his resignation said: "It was a difficult decision but difficult decisions has to be taken in tough situations."
He said, "I accepted the Governorship as a challenge," adding that during the past one and a half years, we succeeded in putting the Fata on the path of progress. Aurakzai said he took every decision on merit keeping the welfare and well-being of the people on mind. He thanked the entire staff of Fata Secretariat and FDA for their co-operation.
The Additional Chief Secretary of the Fata, Habibullah Khan and FDA Chief Executive Muhammad Shahzad Arbab on behalf of the staff of their respective offices hailed the services of the outgoing governor. Later, Aurakzai also met the staff of the Governor House and Governor's Secretariat. Addressing on the occasion, Aurakzai appreciated their dedication and hard work.
He thanked the staff for extending full co-operation to him. Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif also addressed on behalf of the staff and thanked the Governor for his valuable contribution towards the welfare of the staff of Governor House and Secretariat.