GHALANAI: The government has started work on several development schemes in the most backward Khewazi Baizai area of Mohmand Agency to provide equal opportunities and facilities of life to the tribesmen of border areas.

This was stated by assistant political agent Pir Abdullah Shah while talking to journalists at Mohmand Press Club here on Friday.

Mr Shah said under the governor`s special package the local administration had started various development activities like blacktopping of 12 kilometres road from Watki to Jarobi Darra and four kilometres road from Faqir Abad to Kowng Khwezai.

He said work on eight solar-powered water supply schemes was in progress in Zor Kali, Samghai, Gat Warsak, Soran Darra and Tor Khel areas.

`The administration has rehabilitated a water channel in Jarobi Darra which was damaged during militancy,` the APA added, saying a community school has also beensetupin the area.

The official said the administration hadprovided free wheat seed and fertiliser to the tribesmen, besides organising medical camps with the help of Pakistan Red Crescent in Bahi Daag subdivision.

The APA demanded of the government to sanction a special package for improving health and education sectors in the border areas as there was no high school or any well-equipped hospital in the entire Biazai subdivision.

Mr Shah said the year 2015 was the phasing out of the (VDCs)Village Defence Committees, which were formed to tackle militancy in the tribal region. He said all the heads of the committees in Biazai subdivision had voluntarily surrendered weapons to the local administration.

`No doubt VDCs rendered valuable sacrifices in the war on terror in the region but now time has come the government has to take back the roles of these committees as the scenario has changed,` he added. He said the government wanted to include these committees into the mainstream.

After the phasing out process of the committees the local administration deployed more than 300 Levies men at various checkposts to maintain law and order situation in the area, he added.