ISLAMABAD - Terming reforms in Fata an integral part of the National Action Plan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday made it clear that the reforms must be reflective of the aspiration of the people of the area.
The Fata Reforms Committee called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House and presented its recommendations which came under threadbare discussion in the meeting attended by other senior officials as well.
The overall security situation in the country also came under discussion with specific reference to the recent political turmoil like that arose in the port city of Karachi after the derogatory remarks of MQM chief Altaf Hussain against Pakistan.
Sources aware of the deliberations of the meeting informed The Nation that the prime minister had already said in his statement that no one would be allowed to speak against the sovereignty and integrity of the state and all those who had uttered foul words against the motherland would be made accountable for it. They further said the prime minister had also called a high-level security meeting to be attended by all the chief ministers of the four provinces, AJK and other officials. The meeting would review the overall security situation in the country with specific reference to the slackness in the implementation of the National Action Plan.
On Fata reforms, Sartaj Aziz, head of the committee, said they visited all tribal agencies and held meetings with the elected representatives of those areas, including businessmen, tribal elders (Maliks), educated youth, religious leaders and members of the civil society, to ascertain their point of view before finalising recommendations for the future of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). The committee also held meetings with the notables of all Frontier regions and other stakeholders, he added.
The prime minister said reforms in Fata were significantly important as they formed an integral part of the National Action Plan (NAP). The prime minister asserted reforms in Fata also aimed at mainstreaming the long-neglected areas of the country. “The future of Fata will be decided according to the aspirations and wishes of the people of those areas. The people of Fata have abundantly contributed to our national cause by rendering matchless sacrifices in the time of war and peace,’’ said the prime minister.
It was agreed to place the recommendations of the committee before the larger NAP meeting tomorrow.
Law Minister Zahid Hamid, KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Adviser to PM on National Security Lt-Gen (r) Nasser Khan Janjua, ISI DG Lt-Gen. Rizwan Akhtar, the Safron secretary and other officials attended the meeting.