In a bid to ensure the return of peace and stability in all seven tribal agencies and four frontier regions, the administration directed for an early implementation of the government’s reforms agenda, which besides others, focused on imparting due human and legal rights to tribesmen.
This decision was taken at the 13th Political Agents (PA) Conference, held with the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar in the chair, who reviewed the law and order situation and anti-polio campaign in FATA, the implementation of FATA reforms and causes of many other issues in FATA. The Governor had highly appreciated the support and cooperation of the local tribal community against militancy and urged the political administration to further strengthen liaison with the tribesmen.
At the very outset of the conference, political agents from all tribal agencies and regions presented reports regarding the existing law and order situation in their respective Agencies, especially violent acts and insurgency on the part of militant groups and individuals. They also highlighted the steps taken to overcome problems and issues in this regard. The conference was informed that FATA reforms, particularly those relating to FCR were being fully implemented.
The conference also reviewed the anti-polio campaign in FATA and implementation of FATA reforms. Political Agents were informed that the international community, particularly, UN affiliated World Health Organization and UNICEF are very concerned over the detection of frequent polio cases. In this connection, various proposals were discussed for ensuring vaccinating 100 per cent children below five years. Similarly, the participants also discussed in depth, various proposals for discouraging parents’ refusal to vaccinate children.
The Additional Chief Secretary FATA, Dr. Tashfain, presented an overview of the implementation of decisions taken during the previous conference, whereas the Chief Executive TESCO briefed the conference on technical causes of continuous power break down in FATA and suggested certain measures to ensure availability of electricity.
In his address to the participants, Masud said, “The political administration should move forward taking the tribal communities along”. He said that the environment for investment must be improved and potential investors should be provided every facility, including security. He also directed the political officers to take effective measure to control kidnapping incidents. “This must be given serious consideration so the people can feel some kind of improvement”, he added. He directed that the grievances and complaints of tribesmen of Bara should be addressed properly and added that the process of return of IDPs to their homes should be accelerated and facilitated.
“Law and order in FATA is the core issue and political officers should play a proactive role to ensure more improvement”, the Governor said, directing all relevant authorities and agencies to coordinate their efforts to move forward collectively. Masood said that now when the law and order situation in tribal areas was improving, the political administration should focus development initiatives and FATA reforms.
