24-12-2010  15:16:24
Govt to provide economic activities in FATA: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that development activities in the FATA region have been accelerated so as to provide maximum opportunities to the people of that region.The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of FATA headed by Haji Muneer Khan Orakzai which called on him at Prime Minister House here Thursday evening.Provision of basic amenities of life to the people of FATA is the top priority and in this regard necessary directions have been passed to the concerned government agencies, he added.The Prime Minister observed the government is committed to improve the living standard of the poor, who can be easily exploited by the miscreants due to their meager economic conditions.Despite resource constraints, he said, the government is allocating considerable amount for the economic uplift of FATA.Keeping in view the importance of the area the Prime Minister mentioned that he has recently approved Rs. one billion for supply of gas to the FATA regions. 
While underlining the significance of monitoring of projects from the inception to the implementation stage, the Prime Minister stated that it would ensure timely completion of the projects.   
The Prime Minister said that the people of FATA are brave and valiant and they have withstood the scourge of terrorism with unmatched courage and perseverance.
The Prime Minister said that the Government would continue to pursue the policy of reconciliation and consensus building on all national matters.
He said that passage of 19th Constitutional Amendment Bill by the National Assembly having the approval of the political parties is a historic achievement of the democratic dispensation.
He said time has come now when the energies be focused upon the greater well being of the people of Pakistan.
He said difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy and the government considers it as an opportunity to make adjustments in its policies.
The delegation members congratulated the Prime Minister on the passage of 19th Constitutional Amendment Bill by the National Assembly.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his keen and personal interest in resolving the peculiar financial and development needs of FATA region. 
They appreciated Prime Minister’s political sagacity and reconciliatory approach. They also assured of their complete support for carrying the agenda of development and for strengthening the democratic institutions in the country.
They also briefed the Prime Minister about the status of the ongoing development projects in their respective constituencies.
Other members of the delegation included Minister Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri, MNAs, Sajid Hussain Turi, Jawad Hussain, Muhammad Kamran Khan, Shaukatullah Khan and Zafar Baig Betani.