National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif Tuesday said reforms in Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA) were significant for the development of locals
and were an integral part of the National Action Plan (NAP).
Chairing a meeting of FATA Reforms Committee here at the
PM House, the Prime Minister said reforms in FATA were also
aimed at bringing the long-neglected areas of the
country into the mainstream.
“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,” the Prime Minister said.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj
Aziz, who is also head of the committee, said the members had
visited all tribal agencies.
He said the members held meeting 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
finalizing 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.
It was agreed to place the recommendations of the
committee before larger NAP meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by Zahid Hamid, Minister for
Law, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Governor Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, National
Security Advisor Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua, DG ISI Lt
General Rizwan Akhtar, Secterary to PM Fawad Hassan Fawad and
Muhammad Shahzad Arbab.