Tariq Saeed
Peshawar
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that the socio-economic development of the tribal areas was among his government’s top priorities. He said his government was focusing all its attention on the uplift of ex-FATA districts, society’s weaker segments and backward areas.
Speaking at the inauguration of Mohmand Nahaki Tunnel and Sheikh Zaid Road in Halimzai in Mohmand tribal district the Premier, however, lamented that certain elements who were opposed to the merger of the FATA, were playing in the hands of the state enemies in order to weaken the state institutions. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and top ranking civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
“Our enemy is in contact with elements that didn’t want the merger of tribal areas with the KP province to create anarchy; they are being provided funds from abroad to create hurdles in the development of tribal areas”. Prime Minister Khan said adding the government was fully prepared to frustrate all such efforts.
Imran sounded optimistic for the successful outcome of talks between the Afghan government and Taliban. At the same time he cautioned that there were some elements that don’t want peace to prevail in the neighboring country. “Peace in Afghanistan will also bring prosperity to the tribal districts,” he maintained.
Prime Minister said the government will leave no stone unturned for the socio-economic development of tribal areas adding the tribal areas have lagged behind due to lack of funds and past rulers’ interest. “They have no education, jobs and facilities. The government will ensure that tribal areas get all the rights that they deserved but failed to get over past years. We will develop industries so that jobs are created.” Imran Khan declared amid thundering applause.
Imran said his ideology is the same rules and principles from the state of Madina, that is to uplift the weaker sections of the society and that it is the state’s biggest responsibility. “Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam also thought of an Islamic welfare state”. He said adding “We are trying our best to uplift the weaker sections of the society.The Prime Minister also castigated the way the funds were given to the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award lamenting that the portion to be given to the tribal areas were not disbursed as promised. “The provinces had promised before the [2018] elections that they would give a 3% share of the NFC award to the tribal areas but when our government came into power, they were not ready to share it.
