‘Deteriorating living standards creating sense of deprivation’

Delegation from Waziristan apprises Senate panel of grievances

ISLAMABAD: A representative delegation of the Waziristan Qaumi Jirga from North and South Waziristan said that despite playing a huge role in the creation and sustainability of Pakistan, the people of their area haven’t received their due share in growth and development, with the resultant deteriorating living standards creating a sense of deprivation among the people there.

The delegation members expressed these views during a meeting with a Senate committee set up to examine purported grievances amongst some sections of the society and reach out to the genuinely aggrieved persons to create national cohesion.

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The delegation comprised Engineer Rehmatullah, Samiullah Dawar, Khalid Ahmed Dawar, Abdul Ghaffar, Abdul Malik, Akbar Ali Khan, Malik Fakhr ul Islam that met the special committee at the Parliament House on Friday. The meeting was presided over by the committee convenor Senator Muhammad Ali Saif.

The delegation observed that the jirga does not support any activity that is anti-state and calls for efforts to create a harmonious situation in the area where no individual or group stands against state institutions and the state narrative.

Among other proposals of bringing life back to normal, the delegation proposed extending the jurisdiction of police in the erstwhile FATA in the post-merger situation to deal with the law and order situation.

The members also stressed upon the need to provide more opportunities and development to the area than its due share as it has witnessed an unprecedented security situation due to war on terror.

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The committee assured the visiting delegation that it would will raise these issues at the appropriate forum. Bringing peace, identification of missing persons, clearing the area of land mines, and safe and secure return of IDPs were also identified as key goals.

Committee Chairman Ali Saif suggested appointing a focal person to make communication easier and requested the delegation to present their proposals in writing to the committee to bring the consultations further.