August 12, 2002	Monday	Jamadi-us-Saani 2, 1423

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PESHAWAR, Aug 11: Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, chief of his own faction of the PPP, has said the implementation of reforms in Fata would help end uncertainty among tribesmen, who have been victims of authoritarian laws for over 100 years.

Mr Sherpao was talking to a team of the tribal elders led by Khyber Agency PPP (Sherpao) President Afrasiab Afridi.

He said the backward law had deprived the people of their basic rights.

The tribal elders reposed full confidence in the leadership of Mr Sherpao and invited him for a visit to Khyber agency.

Mr Sherpao recalled that the PPP government had formed a committee to propose the reforms for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and had expressed satisfaction that their efforts would soon be materialised.

The PPP (Sherpao) wanted the empowerment of the tribal masses enabling them to positively contribute towards national development, he added.

He said that his party did not favour an all powerful political agent to usurp the fundamental rights of the people, which negated democratic norms. Since the tribesmen had given great sacrifices for the cause of Pakistan, therefore, they should equally enjoy all civil and political rights in the country.

He suggested that all affairs in Fata should be administrated through the elected representative of people.

He demanded of the government to finalize the plan of democratic representation in the NWFP Assembly and fulfil the promise for holding local bodies polls in these areas.

He urged the need for allocating maximum fund for the uplift of Fata, that would help progress these backward areas.