Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has quite rightly reiterated that development and progress of the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is a priority of the government. It has the credit of taking up the development of FATA and its people very seriously and earnestly.

According to the reports in the media, the prime minister said this while talking to a delegation of party office-holders from various agencies of tribal areas led by SAFRON Minister Ghalib Khan.

PM Abbasi said that the process of FATA reforms is already underway and it will be accomplished according to the wishes of the people. The government believes that the reforms and merger process of FATA should be completed in steps. The rationale behind this is that, if any issue pops up, these can be resolved in a timely manner. The government believes that the people of tribal areas need to be brought to the mainstream by launching a comprehensive development programme. It is determined to provide health, education, employment and other basic facilities to these people similar to those being availed by the people of the other developed areas of the country.

It is good that FATA reforms, construction and development projects as well as the issues faced by the people were discussed in the meeting in detail. It is appreciable that the people of FATA are being gradually brought in the mainstream, in order to enable them to adjust with the new laws and changed circumstances.

MUHAMMAD MURTAZA ZEESHAN,

Lahore, January 18.