PESHAWAR: The Fata chapter of Jamaat-i-Islami has demanded of the federal government to announce a comprehensive financial package of Rs500 billion for rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in tribal areas.

The party also demanded immediate merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to enable the tribal people to take part in the 2018 general elections and play role for development of their areas.

Addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, Fata JI emir Sardar Khan said that roads, schools and other infrastructures were badly af fected owing to prolonged militancy in the tribal areas. He said that tribal people were kept deprived of basic amenities by the successive government s.

Flanked by Fata JI general secretary Mohammad Rafiq, Zarnoor Afridi, Dr Munsif Khan and Qari Abdul Habib, Mr Khan demanded of the government to announce Rs500 billion package for rehabilitation of af fected people, rebuilding of roads and provision of health and education facilities to the tribal people.

The JI leader said that people of Fata were deprived of their basic rights to get access to Supreme Court and high court. Every decision was being imposed on them under black law of F CR, he added.

Mr Khan alleged that bureaucracy always hatched conspiracies to delay reforms in Fata and block its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that the conspiracies would no more work. He demanded of the government to abolish FCR in Fata and merge it with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the next general elections.

The JI leader opposed the idea of holding referendum in Fata to ascertain whether tribal people wanted its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or a separate entity. He claimed that about 71 per cent tribal people favoured merger Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Khan also demanded holding of population census and local bodies` elections in Fata before 2018 general elections.

He said that government must amend various articles regarding name of Fata. The name of Fata should be removed from the constitution, he added.

The JI leader said that his party would hold a tribal jirga in Peshawar on November 11 that would be addressed by Senator Sirajul Haq and elders belonging to different tribal regions.

Mr Khan also demanded establishment of Fata university, Fata medical college and upgradation of educational institutions in all tribal agencies. He asked for opening of all closed schools in Fata.