Governor Masood Kausar : Peace fast returning to the Fata

Governor Masood Kausar : Peace fast returning to the Fata

Posted in Pakistan | 10-Nov-12 | Source: The News International (Pakistan)

PARACHINAR: Governor Masood Kausar Wednesday said peace was fast returning to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) as political activities have been launched along with development projects.

However, he said timeframe for withdrawal of combat troops could not be given due to the unpredictable circumstances and the situation in Afghanistan, which has direct bearing on the tribal areas.

Talking to journalists at the end of his two-day visit to Kurram Agency, he said anything about the timeframe for withdrawal of the security forces was difficult as long as peace is not restored in Afghanistan.

The governor said security forces would stay in Fata even after restoration of peace. He said instability in Afghanistan and its fallout was directly affecting tribal areas and this was the reason Pakistan deployed over 100,000 army and paramilitary troops in Fata to counter militancy.

To a question about return of internally displaced persons' (IDPs) to their native areas, he said the process was going on but exact date for the repatriation could not be given. He said the situation in tribal areas was improving and IDPs were gradually going back to their hometowns.

About arrangements for peaceful observance of Muharram, the governor expressed satisfaction over prevailing situation in Kurram Agency and said that by the grace of Almighty Allah no major incident of sectarian nature had happened during the last two years in the violence-stricken valley.

The government and local administration would take affective steps to maintain peace and for this purpose elders were also being taken into confidence, he added.

During interaction with the elders and other segments of the society, Governor Masood Kausar said the government could not maintain peace and stability without the cooperation of local population.

He said the government was serious to build schools and roads and provide better health and education facilities for which peace was a must and that could not be maintained without sincere support of all tribes. "Kurram Agency should be a role model for the rest of tribal agencies in Fata and it cannot be achieved without support of local people," he said and warned that troublemakers would not be provided space to derail peace process in the area.

During his visit to Parachinar Public School, Degree College for Women and Sports Complex, he said no efforts would be spared to impart quality education to the future builders of the nation and healthy activities like games would be encouraged.

He announced provision of computers to the college and laboratory equipment to the school. He was informed that about 1,244 girls were enrolled in the college and 961 were studying at the school.

However, the institutions were short of teaching staff which the governor promised to overcome. The girl students asked the governor to fill all vacant posts in the college and regularise contract teachers. He also laid foundation-stone for construction of a Polytechnic Institute and inspected its site and directed that work on the project be accelerated.

The governor also inaugurated the new building of Parachinar Press Club and administered oath to its newly elected office-bearers. He was generous enough to announce Rs200,000 for the Press Club, Rs50,000 each for the winner and runner-up cricket teams at the sports complex and thousands more for the schoolchildren presenting PT show and other performances. The governor also held an open Katcheri to listen to the grievances of the people.

• Tags:
• Pakistan
• FATA

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