Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions on Wednesday directed the officials concerned to formulate a comprehensive strategy to ensure peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in consultation with the locals of the area.
The committee’s meeting was held in the Parliament House here under the chairmanship of Senator Saleh Shah. Secretary Ministry of States and Frontier Regions Habib Ullah Khan gave presentation on the overall working of the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and its attached departments.
The committee was informed that the country-wide census of Afghans was conducted in year 2005 and census had confirmed the presence of 3.04 million Afghans in the country. Registration exercise conducted in 2006-07 and total 2.153 million Afghans were enrolled by NADRA with initial validity of POR (Proof of Registration) cards up to 31st December, 2009, which has further extended up till 31st December, 2012. To a question, the officials told that 1.7 million registered Afghans refugees were still residing in Pakistan.
The committee was also informed that 22 specialist doctors on special pay packages and 86 medical officers and 13 dental surgeons had been recruited to provide health facilities in the tribal areas.
The Officials said establishment of a medical college is under process in Bajaur Agency and 64 ambulances provided for mother care health and emergency referral.
Chairman Senator Saleh Shah directed the authorities to take further steps for the betterment of people of the area. Senators Mufti Abdul Sattar and Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana also attended the meeting.
