PM Imran urges all-inclusive development efforts

Imran Khan urges provinces to give 3% of their NFC share for the development of tribal districts

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday lauded the National Assembly for show of unity in the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, aimed at boosting the number of seats in national and provincial legislatures for the former Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Speaking after the passage of the bill, Khan said that such moves were necessary to ensure there was no feeling of alienation anywhere in Pakistan. “I am very happy that the entire house has supported this constitutional amendment [bill],” Khan added.

This [bill] will give message to the people of the former tribal areas that they are important to us and their voice will always be heard in Pakistan,” he continued. He said that a feeling of alienation could be exploited by enemies.

“East Pakistan was separated because the people felt lack of inclusion and representation. No one today should feel that they are not valued in Pakistan and that we do not see them as our own. This feeling has been and is being exploited by our enemies,” the prime minister added.

“We must now ensure that our development efforts are inclusive; areas that lag behind must be brought to the same level as the rest of the country. No region or people should feel they are not part of Pakistan. This bill tells the people of the tribal areas that they are as Pakistani as us all,” he said.

About the development of former Fata, he said: “I urge the provinces to give 3% of their NFC share for the development of the erstwhile Fata areas. I know it’s a difficult task given the current economic situation but it is essential because the damages incurred due to the war on terror have been immense.”