January 24, 2002	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 9, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: The federal government on Wednesday approved representation of Federally Administered Tribal Areas in the NWFP assembly through allocation of extra seats, an official announcement said.

The meeting also unanimously decided to extend the Devolution of Power Plan to the tribal areas of the country under the timetable to be announced by the National Reconstruction Bureau.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by President Gen Pervez Musharraf which was attended, among others, by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, the Governors of the NWFP and Balochistan and the federal ministers for interior and local government.

The representation of Fata in the National Assembly and the Senate will, however, remain intact, including the recent increase in the number of NA seats from 8 to 12.

With the enhanced representation in the National Assembly and the new representation in the NWFP assembly, Fata will be effectively drawn into the mainstream of national politics. The Frontier Crime Regulations will also be suitably amended.

The president, however, directed that such devolution plan must cater to the existing local traditions of “Ravaj” and “Jirga” prevalent in the tribal areas.

The meeting also approved a special financial package for the socio-economic uplift of the tribal areas. This will cover development of communication and telecommunication infrastructure and healthcare and education facilities.

The meeting also approved restructuring of the law enforcement agencies in the NWFP and placement of Federal Levies under the Balochistan province. This will eliminate duality of command and control and help enhance the operational efficiency of the forces.