ISLAMABAD: The Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) reforms package will be placed before the next meeting of the cabinet, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office on Thursday.

The package was part ofthe agenda issued for the cabinet`s meeting held on Tuesday. However, the agenda did not come under discussion.

The omission elicited widespread criticism with the Fata lawmakers walking out of parliament to express their anger over the cabinet`s attitude.

`Our government has taken the initiative toevolve consensus for empowering the people of Fata. On my directions, extensive consultation has been carried out with all stakeholders, including visits by a selected committee to all agencies, said the statement issued on Thursday quoting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Media reports sug-gested that Jamiat-iUlema Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai`s opposition to the move had thrown a spanner in the works.

The statement issued by the PM office, however, conveyed that the speculations were wrong.