FATA merger: Merged areas need greater attention

QWP chief calls for restoring administrative, judicial machinery in new districts

PESHAWAR: Weeks after the federal and the provincial governments came together in a landmark move to merge the tribal areas with the province, a leading provincial politician has called for paying greater attention to the flagging infrastructure and civilian systems in the new districts.

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Sherpao has called for restoring administrative and judicial machinery in areas which previously comprised the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) so that the residents of these areas can benefit from the merger.

Speaking to a delegation of QWP Swabi at Watan Kor in Peshawar, Sherpao added that the K-P-Fatamerger was a great achievement and utmost efforts need to be made to bring the former tribal areas into the mainstream.



During the meeting, former  MPA  Haji Abdullah Khan of Khalabut, Lahore Counselor Ziaullah and Awami National Party leader Shahid announced to join the QWP  along with their families and scores of supporters.

Sherpao welcomed them and remarked that they would give strength to party.

He hoped that they would work for the party cause and spread QWP’s message to every nook and corner of Swabi district.

The QWP chief said that after K-P-Fata, there was a need to pay greater attention to the neglected areas and put them on the path of development. He demanded that handsome funds should be earmarked to effect the change while locals must be empowered so as to bring revolutionary changes in their socio-economic conditions.

He said that the federation and provinces should act like elder brothers and offer sacrifices for Fata in the larger national interest.

Sherpao regretted that Pakhtuns had suffered immensely due to terrorism and extremism. Despite their sacrifices, he lamented that they had been ignored which increased their sense of deprivation.

He contended that Pakhtuns were the second largest population in the country and they had played a vital role in national development.

Therefore, he added, any step-motherly treatment with them was not only a negation of their sacrifices but it would be disastrous for the federation as well. He expressed concern that controversial issues had been brought on the limelight whereas issues of Pakhtuns had been put on the backburner.