PESHAWAR, April 2: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said supporters of Fata reforms would be given full protection, urging the political authorities to responsibly discharge their duties in this respect and also ensure maintenance of public order in their respective jurisdictions.

He was presiding over a meeting of political agents here at the Governor’s House on Monday morning. NWFP Minister Athar Minallah, Chief Secretary Shakil Durrani, Home Secretary Javed Iqbal and Local Government Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shah attended the meeting, besides the political agents of Kurram, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Orakzai, Bajaur and Mohmand agencies.

Regarding law and order, the governor directed the political administrations to keep strict vigil over the activities of

anti-social elements. “No one would be allowed to disturb peaceful atmosphere in the tribal areas,” he vowed, adding: “The government writ must be established.”

He expressed concern over some recent incidents in which the supporters of Fata reforms were targeted, and said: “Giving protection to the tribal people is the responsibility of the political administrations which they must discharge perfectly.”

Regarding reservations on FATA reforms by a section of the tribal society, the governor said that the government would remove these reservations through negotiations, there is every possibility to improve these reforms and we would welcome sound viable and applicable suggestions, he added.

The governor also directed the concerned quarters to speed up the development process in Fata, saying that development funds allocated under the ADP and Khushhal Pakistan Programme must be utilized before the close of current financial year.

In this context, he asked the concerned authorities to remove all possible hurdles impeding the speedy development process in Fata, and hoped that with the creation of a separate Fata Cell in the Governor’s Secretariat all the affairs, including development, of Fata would be further facilitated.

Syed Iftikhar reiterated that the employees of Fata Development Corporation would not be rendered jobless. These employees, he added, were being absorbed in the Governor’s Secretariat Fata Cell, Agency Planning and Monitoring Cell and other lines departments.

He directed the political agent to work out the staff requirements in various departments under their jurisdiction so that a clear picture could come forth and the shortfalls removed.

The governor said all the on-going projects of the defunct Fata Development Corporation would be looked after by the Governor’s Secretariat Fata Cell.