Governor links peaceful Pakistan to peaceful Fata
By Ibrahim Shinwari
2014-06-11
LANDI KOTAL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan on Tuesday said maintenance of law and order in Fata was the foremost requirement to ensure peaceful atmosphere in the entire country.
`The future of all of us is closely linked to the prosperity and development of our beloved country. To make this happen, we have to focus on future development instead of expressing sorrow about the past agonies,` he told a tribal jirga in Tirah Maidan, a far-flung valley of Khyber Agency.
The governor said restoration of peace and normalcy in entire country, particularly in Fata, was the top mostpriority of the federal government.
He said the sacrifices and the role of the army, levies and other security forces, political administration and the tribal people in bringing peace and stability to Tirah Maidan were commendable.
Mahtab Ahmad said everyone would have to work with complete unity, cohesion and fraternity to ensure that no one dare cast an evil eye on the country.
Appreciating the spirit of tribal elders, he said he was alive to the misery of the people of Tirah Maidan during the recent past and wanted to assured them that all possible efforts would be made for their complete rehabilitation.
`With the active support and cooperation of the army and the political administration, we will restore stability in real sense, reconstruct damaged infrastructure, resettle all affected people in their own homes and launch development activities here,` he said.
The governor said small dams would also be constructed besides the launch of other development projects and thatthe area would be made model for other parts of the country.
He said restoration of peace and normalcy in itself was a challenging task and that the time had come to convert the destructions of the past into constructive activities.
Mahtab Ahmad said the dislocated people of Tirah valley would be definitely resettled in their native places that required unity among all sections of society.
He said the government would keep its promises of development and reconstruction. The governor said cheques to the tune of Rs25,000 had been disbursed to every family affected by destruction.
He announced Rs3.5 billion development package for Tirah and construction of 90 kilometres road to link the valley with Bara, Orakzai Agency and Sadda of Kurram Agency.
Mahtab Ahmad announced creation of 200 new levies posts, distribution of 100 turbans for local elders and early resolution of the tribesmen`s complaints against Nadra.
He also announced establishment of amodel school alongside 16 normal schools in the valley and said all private schools of the valley would be funded through the Fata Education Foundation.
Mahtab Ahmad said a D category hospital would also be established in the valley.
Earlier, the relevant officials told the governor that polio drops had been administered to 15,000 local children, while 2,551 children were vaccinated at transit points.
They said 80,000 of the 150,000 displaced persons of the valley had been rehabilitated, while the others would be rehabilitated in the days ahead.
MNA Haji Shahji Gul, Senator Haji Khan, additional chief secretary of Fata Arbab Arif, principal secretary to governor Dr Fakhar-i-Alam, the Peshawar commissioner, Khyber Agency political agent and other senior officials of the administration were also in attendance.
Earlier, tribal elders gave the governor warm welcome on arrival.
A smart contingent of the levies force presented the guard of honour to thegovernor.
The governor later visited a localschool and distributed schoolbags and gifts among students.