Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) were essential for development of locals and were an integral part of the National Action Plan (NAP).

Chairing a meeting of FATA Reforms Committee here at the Primer Minister’s House, the prime minister said reforms in FATA were aimed at bringing the long-neglected areas of the country into the mainstream. “Future of FATA will be decided according to the aspirations and wishes of the people of those areas. The people of FATA have abundantly contributed to our national cause by rendering matchless sacrifices in the time of war and peace,” he maintained.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, who is head of the committee, said the members had visited all tribal agencies. He said the members held meeting with the elected representatives of the areas including businessmen, tribal elders, youth, religious leaders and members of the civil society to ascertain their point of view before finalising recommendations for the future of the tribal areas.

The committee also held meetings with the notables of all frontier regions and other stakeholders. It was agreed to place the recommendations of the committee before larger NAP meeting on Wednesday.

Law Minister Zahid Hamid, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, National Security Adviser Lieutenant General (r) Nasser Khan Janjua, Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, Secretary to PM Fawad Hassan Fawad and Muhammad Shahzad Arbab attended the meeting.