Zardari announces huge compensation package for Fata

[LahoreEstate]

Zardari announces huge compensation package for Fata




Sunday, February 08, 2009
Increases ADP by Rs 3 bn
PESHAWAR: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday announced here a huge compensation package of Rs 280 million for those killed and wounded in the tribal areas due to militants’ attacks and vowed to keep the promises made by late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto with the valiant tribesmen, the true defenders of the country’s frontiers.

Addressing a grand tribal Jirga comprising all the seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions at the Darbar Hall of the Governor House, the president said he was not oblivious to the problems facing the tribal people and was working from day one to mitigate their sufferings.

To achieve the goals of uplift in the hitherto neglected and backward areas of the tribal belt, President announced immediate increase in the development outlay of Fata by Rs 3 billion for the current fiscal taking it to Rs 11 billion from Rs 8 billion. He also announced to double the development programme for Fata from the present ADP of Rs 8 billion to Rs 16 billion during the next two years.

A total of 610 people have been killed and over 1,000 injured in tribal areas due to the militant attacks, he said. “I am myself a tribesman and know what misery is. I have passed through all such traumas for 11 years in jail despite the fact I had the keys of the jail with me but I never compromised on principles and never succumbed to a dictator.”

He urged the tribesmen to demonstrate patience and tolerance in their rank and file and avoid getting involved in violent acts which will benefit the opponents. The PPP government was determined to save the country and its people from any danger, he said.

He thanked the tribal representatives for reposing confidence in him by voting in his favour in the presidential elections and promised to honour all the pledges made by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto with the tribal people.

Governor NWFP Owais Ahmed Ghani in his brief address said the government values the sacrifices rendered by the tribesmen for the cause of the country and they were true and loyal defenders of the country’s frontiers. They have always stood side by side with the government whenever the country was threatened by the aggressors.

He said over 800 tribal elders, Maliks and tribesmen have lost lives in the war on terror. He said the war on terror could not be won without their active support and cooperation and sought their role in flushing out militants from the tribal regions.

Parliamentary leader of MNAs and senators from Fata Haji Munir Aurakzai called for immediate end to the drone attacks in the tribal areas and tribal elders and Masharan should be allowed to work for the establishment of peace in their areas in accordance with the tribal traditions. This is the only option to meet the present challenges, he argued. He said it was a matter of regret that the Fata situation was not taken as a national issue in the past and added that he always took up the matter in the previous assembly for five years but to no use. It is a matter to be taken seriously before it was too late, he warned.

The government writ in Fata was today fragile and activities of the government officials were restricted to their offices, he said.

Malik Waris Khan Afridi in his welcome address also called for an early end to the attacks in the tribal belt and demanded hefty package for the neglected tribal areas to remove their backwardness. He told the president that todayís gathering in front of him comprised responsible people who did not want any change in their independent status. He declared that tribesmen would not allow any foreigner to use their soil for subversive activities.

He suggested mobilising the local Jirga system in overcoming the problem.

Member National Assembly from North Waziristan Dr Kamran Khan urged the president to fulfil the dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto which she had for the progress and prosperity of the tribal areas.

Earlier tribal elders from Kurram Agency, Aurakzai Agency, Mohmand Agency, Bajaur Agency, North and South Waziristan agencies presented traditional tribal gifts to the president. The gifts included traditional gun, Kulla, Turban, carpets, etc.

Federal Minister for Safron Najumddin Khan, senators, MNAs from Fata, tribal elders, Masharan, Chief Secretary Sahibzada Riaz Noor, IGP Malik Naveed, ACS Fata Habibullah Khan, and political agents of all the tribal agencies were preset on the occasion.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=20171