PESHAWAR: Along with concentrating all attentions on eliminating terror off its roots and restoration of the writ of law, the armed forces made a remarkable contribution in development sectors throughout the Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA), especially in both North and South Waziristan agencies.
The armed forces had gotten access to almost all of the tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan, soon after 9/11, when the global community declared war on terror.
Al Qaeda, which was held responsible for attacking World Trade Center in New York, United States, was camping in Afghanistan, therefore, armed forces were deployed along with border to block fugitives fleeing towards Pakistan.
But the armed forces in real terms framed a strategy not only for restoration writ of law and return of peace but also for the development of tribal areas while declaring Zarb-i-Azb in June 2014.
During and on completion of military assignments, armed forces also focused its attentions on the execution of development projects with a view to ensuring basic amenities of life to tribesmen. Besides making a valuable contribution in
Besides making a valuable contribution in the repatriation of 91 per cent of Temporary Displaced People (TDP) families, armed forces constructed roads, schools, vocational centres, hospitals and others throughout both Agencies.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) provided data, during the military operations and terror, around 336,042 families abandoned homes.
But with efforts of armed forces and civil administration, 306.399 families of it have returned.
The government constructed around 147 educational institutions in FATA. But only 130 of these schools were constructed only in both the agencies of Waziristan.
A number of cadet colleges, purely established by armed forces, which has, so far, given opportunities to 558 students of completing their education and adjusted themselves in different walks of life.
After improving general education standards, the forces also established vocational training centres in both North and South Waziristan.
The ISPR data states that 1500 youths from North and South have joined armed forces, 7500 Frontier Corps and 50 of them went abroad.
In the health sector, the armed forces renovated already existing agency headquarters hospitals, Tehsil hospitals and other health units. The Tehsil Headquarter hospital in Mirali was increased to 110 beds whereas a new 50-bed hospital at Sholam was built.
Six veterinary dispensaries were also constructed in Waziristan region to cater to the thousands of families dependent on live stocks.
The ISPR communiqué states that during this period armed forces, in a bid to provide clean drinking water, executed 268 water supply schemes. At least 223 of these schemes executed only in North and South Waziristan agencies.
During this period, the armed forces constructed 673 kilometres of roads throughout the tribal region. Only 223 kilometres of it lies in Waziristan.
Bannu-Miranshah and Miranshah- Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan and Wana-Azam Warsak Roads were constructed for a direct link with Afghanistan. With these two important roads, on one hand, bilateral trade with Afghanistan could be improved but it will also help in sharing the flow on Torkham and Chaman crossing points.
Armed forces also constructed 19 bridges in connection with agenda pertained to enhancing communication links and facilities in the remote tribal areas.
