May 19, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1423

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JAMRUD, May 18: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said the populace of tribal agencies will elect their union, tehsil and agency councils’ representatives on the basis of adult franchise that will enable them to participate in the decision-making process at the grassroots level.

The powers and authority being enjoyed by the political agents will be exercised by their elected representatives, he said, while speaking at a public meeting at the Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency on Friday.

In addition to holding the local government elections in the tribal agencies, the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) would be given representation in the provincial assembly to ensure that tribesmen’s grievances were redressed, he said, adding that 23 per cent seats in each council would be filled in through nomination from among the elders and elites of the respective area, besides giving due representation to tribeswomen through a reserved quota.

The governor referred to the proposed amendments to the FCR, saying that as against the tribesmen consistent demands for the right of one appeal, the government was giving them the right of three appeals against any decision under the FCR.

He made it clear that the proposed system would not affect the Khassadar system in any way. He announced that the octroi system, which existed only in Fata along with the prevalent “unjustified” taxation system, would be totally abolished to give relief to the poor tribesmen.

Mr Shah asked Wapda to avoid prolonged loadsheddings, improve its supply system and solve the problems of power fluctuation and low voltage in the tribal areas.

SPORTS COMPLEX: The governor later performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the first sports complex of Fata here.

The sports complex, which will have a cricket ground and volleyball and badminton courts, will be spread over an area of 57 kanals with all other sports facilities. The project would cost Rs10 million. The governor upgraded Government Girls High School, Jamrud, to the level of higher secondary school.