Hinting at putting in place an effective administration in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan on Wednesday announced the establishment of an endowment fund with seed money of Rs1 billion for the needy students and deserving patients from the tribal areas. He also announced the launching of youth-focused institutionalised arrangement for provision of micro-financing and creation of two skill development centres in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan to facilitate the internally dislocated youth from South Waziristan to empower them to earn their livelihood. “The number of existing skill development based scholarships would be enhanced from 1,700 to 10,000 from the next financial year,” he told the maiden representative tribal jirga at the Governor’s House. He said the tribal people were the guardians of the western frontiers of the country and their grievances would be removed without harming their historical customs and traditions. The governor said an effective administration in Fata would be ensured to usher in a new era of development. However, he said peace was a prerequisite for development and the tribespeople should help the government to restore lasting peace. Sardar Mehtab said through an international conspiracy pre-planned destruction was carried out in the region against the will of the tribal people. He urged the tribespersons to work for the restoration of peace in the tribal areas. The governor reiterated the pledge to restore peace in Fata and bring about visible changes there. “I have accepted the challenge and will spare no effort to introduce reforms in the tribal areas,” he vowed. He said reform strategy was being formulated to determine the scope and plans of development in Fata. He said the Annual Development Plan was also being revised and made realistic as he didn’t believe in making false promises. Earlier, the governor met with Fata parliamentarians at the Governor’s House. They also attended the jirga that brought together the leading tribal elders from the seven tribal agencies and six Frontier Regions. Speaking on the occasion, the governor said no effort would be spared to ensure the well being of the tribal people and enable them to play a significant role in the nation-building process. Referring to the points raised by the tribal elders he said, “I am very much conscious of the varying nature of the difficulties being faced by the tribal people. I will visit and hold meetings with the elders in every tribal agency to find out solutions to the problems of the tribesmen.
Source: The News.
