ISLAMABAD: UNDP Pakistan’s Chief Technical Specialist for FATA Governance Project Skye Christensen called on Federal Minister for Law and Justice Syed Ali Zafar here on Monday and discussed the issues pertaining to the merger of the tribal areas into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The minister said that the challenges beyond the amalgamation and unification would be handled carefully and the issues coming in this way would be resolved urgently and on priority. He also said that same kind of amenities to the tribal people would be given that were available to the people of the other regions.
He apprised Skye Christensen about the federal and provincial committees constituted by the prime minister for facilitating the merger of the tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the meeting, Skye Christensen apprised the minister that UNDP Pakistan had offered $26 million for the next four years to assist the tribal areas for promoting cultural activities, education, social and economic assistance and improving law and order situation.
He also said that UNDP Pakistan was enthusiastic for solving the issues of the tribal people and was working for the rapid fusion of FATA/PATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Skye Christensen appreciated and cherished the efforts of the caretaker minister for the rapid merger of the tribal region into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice also attended the meeting.
On the other hand, a delegation headed by Acting Chairperson of National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) Fazila Aliani called on Ali Zafar and discussed issues related to human rights. The delegation apprised the minister about the various important areas where human rights legislation was required and about the issues that needed to be addressed on priority.
The delegation appreciated Ali Zafar for creating a positive image of the government and its efforts to protect, preserve and promote the fundamental rights of people. The minister assured his full cooperation to the delegation for the resolution of the issues related to the legislation. He said that the government deemed all citizens equal and could not tolerate any sort of discrimination towards any citizen.
