Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan said return of internally displaced persons of Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency to their homes is a matter of few weeks and the process would be started in next month.
Talking to representative delegation of tribal elders from Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency here in Governor's House Wednesday, he said that the incumbent government is fully determined for the early repatriation of IDPs and the socio-economic uplift of the tribal region and urged tribal people and elders to be conscious of their responsibilities and active role for the restoration of peace.
The delegation led by Advocate Latif Afridi, was comprised of Senator Haji Khan Afridi, Malik Daud Khan, Malik Dawran Gul, Haji Mughal Baz, Suhbat Khan, Abdul Wahid and others. Additional Chief Secretary FATA, Azam Khan, Secretary Law & Order FATA, Shakil Qadir, Political Agent Khyber Agency, Shahabuddin Shah and other relevant officials from FATA Secretariat were also present on the occasion.
He said that the tribal elders needed to shoulder their responsibilities for sustainable peace and stability in the area. He said he was trying his best to ensure the early reopening of Bara Bazaar and rehabilitation of economic activities in the Agency.
The delegation apprised the governor of the problems and difficulties, which the people of Bara have been facing. They also discussed matters pertaining to the repatriation of IDPs to their homes. The governor assured the delegation of taking necessary action to address their grievances and said that every possible step been taken to ensure early and dignified repatriation of Bara IDPs to their homes.
The members of the delegation also lauded the endeavours of the Governor in regard provision of services to the tribal people and for early repatriation of IDPs and offered their services for the restoration of the peace in the region. The delegation also assured the governor of complete co-operation with the government and local administration to ensure peace and security in the agency.
The governor paid rich tributes to the people of Khyber Agency, who faced immense challenges over the last few years. He said that the sacrifices and services of the tribal people are highly valuable and well acknowledged and these would always be remembered with high regard.
Governor said measures be taken to ensure the provision of best infrastructure, health centers, schools, colleges, hospitals, employment opportunities and other modern facilities after the repatriation of IDPs to their homes in the tribal areas. The governor said the security forces personnel along with civilians sacrificed their lives in the war on terror and tribal people had to leave homes for the just cause of purging the region of militants. The people of area helped the security forces in the fight against militants, for which they deserve appreciation, he added. The governor said early repatriation of IDPs and restoration of peace and stability to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) was a foremost priority of the government. Responding to the demands put forward by the members of delegation from Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency, the governor said he had already taken initiatives and launched some projects during his recent visit.