Govt determined for accelerated development in FATA, says Aurakzai

PESHAWAR: The NWFP Governor Lt. Gen. (R) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai has said that the development process in FATA would by no means damage the tribal customs and traditions, saying "the tribesmen would get progress and development as well as uphold their customs and traditions as usual".

He was addressing a big representative tribal Jirga of Orakzai Agency at Babar Mela, headquarter of the Agency during his day long visit to Hangu on Thursday.

Federal Minister Dr. Ghazi Gualb Jamal, who also represents the agency in the National Assembly and Senator Mian Mohammad Hussain were also present besides the Additional Chief Secretary FATA Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif and Political Agent Sher Alam Mehsud.

The Jirga was comprised of leading elders, Maliks, students and journalists belonging to the agency.

Governor Aurakzai said that post 9/11 scenario had brought the tribal areas to limelight on international scene thus creating many opportunities that could be turned into benefits for the people of the tribal areas.

"Every nation do face crisis while making history but successful are those who come out victorious without or with minimum damages", he remarked.

He said that we would take benefit of the crisis and make use of it to develop our tribal areas. He said that the development outlay for FATA had been successively increased and brought to Rs. 6.2 billion over the past 4 years hoping that it would be further increased with the passage of time.

The Governor strongly dispelled misperception about FATA saying, "the tribesmen are peace loving, democratic and development seekers and the tribal society is one having justice and fairness in its every sphere". "What the tribal areas actually need is development because these areas had remained backwards for years due to faults at part of both the govt. and the tribesmen", the Governor added.

He said that the present govt. was striving for accelerated development of tribal areas. He in this connection mentioned a massive development project that will encompass almost all the development and social sectors and would cost Rs. 120 billion covering 9-years period.

The project, he added was under the process of planning and would form final shape by the end of next month. He said that the tribesmen would also be taken into confidence about the contents of the project before implementation.

Referring to the ongoing development process in Orakzai Agency, the Governor said that nearly 400 million rupees were being spent on various development projects in the agency during the current fiscal year. He announced that Hangu, Thall, Orakzai, Darra Adam Khel and Parachinar would get natural gas facility from Gurguri gas field very soon. Moreover LPG facility would also be extended to remote tribal areas to save and conserve the forests. Regarding electricity he said the existing capacity of the grid stations would be enhanced to meet the increasing power demand.

Regarding mineral development the Governor made a mention to the fine quality coal found in Orakzai Agency and said that the coalmines would be further developed.

However he expressed concern over tribal disputes on some coal mines in the agency and urged the tribesmen to negotiate a peaceful settlement so as all the respective tribes could take benefit of this abundant natural resource.

He said that the govt. has already allocated Rs. 240 million to improve mineral related infrastructure as well as install modern machinery.

Governor Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai on this occasion announced a number of new development projects for the Agency including opening of Govt. Girls Degree College in Ghiljo, Boys degree college at Jilaka Mela, black topping of 60 kilometer roads, up-gradation of three primary schools to middle standard and 14 water supply schemes.

The Governor also announced launching of a special scheme for control of communicable diseases including Hepatitis. AIDS and Malaria and a special development package worth Rs.35 million for the backward and remote areas of the agency besides opening of two Utility Stores, one each at Ghiljo and Kalaya.

He assured the Jirga that staff deficiency in health and educational institutions would be removed and wherever necessary contract employees would be appointed to fill the gape.

Federal Minister Dr. Ghazi Gulab Jamal while presenting welcome address highlighted the development requirements of the tribesmen and made certain demands related to facility’s improvement in power, education, health, drinking water, communication and irrigation sectors.

Some tribal elders presented traditional gifts to the Governor. On arrival at Babar Mela the Governor was warmly received by the elders, who also garlanded the Governor.

Later he planted a sapling and inaugurated the newly created Volleyball and Basketball courts and had a visit of the agency lock up.