In a high level meeting on the merger of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) with Kyhber Paktunkhawa (KP) on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan assured that the Federal Government would provide additional resources required for the uplift of the tribal areas, besides playing an effective role for allocation of development package meant for the areas out of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. The meeting also discussed the progress on the merger and different administrative and legal measures taken in that regard. Important decisions over the merger of the tribal areas and protection of the rights of the tribal people were also taken. The prime minister stressed upon ensuring the implementation of the new system aimed at merger of tribal areas while keeping in view the prevalent traditions and customs of the tribesmen. He underlined the need for consultation of the tribesmen over implementation of the new system. Employment opportunities for the youth of the areas should be ensured and no individual should be made jobless as a result of the administrative measures, he added. The specific quota for the tribal people in the educational institutes and universities should not be affected, he advised. The prime minister also emphasised upon expediting the efforts for introduction of the local government system in the areas. For consultation and seeking feed back of the tribal people with regard to the progress and prosperity of the areas, the swift introduction of local government system is required, he observed. He also underscored the need to accelerate efforts to improve facilities in the health and education sectors and, especially, those educational institutes which are imparting education to girls. The mechanism for speedy and inexpensive justice should also be evolved, he noted. The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Asad Umar, Minister for Law and Justice Dr Farogh Naseem, Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Advisor to PM Shahzad Arbab, and related federal & provincial secretaries and other officials. Published in Daily Times, September 12th 2018.