17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Feb 16: The Frontier Region, Kurram, a sub-division of the Kurram Agency, has been renamed as Central Kurram, NWFP Governor Iftikhar Hussain Shah formally informed tribal leaders from the region who called on him here on Monday.

He said that it had become necessary to rename the area as calling the agency's third sub division simply Frontier Region was causing a number of legal complications.

The governor, while speaking to members of the jirga, said that renaming of the area removed all complexities besides ushering in a new era of development, directly benefiting the people.

Referring to reports regarding poppy cultivation in tribal areas, he said that landowners found growing the crop would be sent behind bars for seven years, adding the government would not tolerate any leniency towards violation of a ban on poppy cultivation in Fata.

The governor said that 91 new projects would be materialised at a cost of Rs1,400 million within the next two years. Similarly, he said out of Rs320 million development budgetary allocations, Rs174 million have already been allocated for Central Kurram, which is almost more than half of the total allocations.

Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah said that 212-kilometre-long roads are being constructed in Kurram Agency at a cost of Rs670 million while 152-kilometre-long roads are being constructed by the Pakistan Army, adding another Rs200 million are being spent on the construction of 63-kilometre-long roads along the border areas.

The governor said that a degree college, a higher secondary school, four high schools, a public school and 41 primary schools are being established in Kurram Agency while a hospital, six community health centres are also being opened in the area.

The governor said that compulsory staff and equipment would be made available in the area's educational institutions, adding shortage of teachers would also be removed within the next few years.

Senator Rashid Ahmad Khan and MNA Munir Khan Orakzai also spoke on this occasion, thanking President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah for taking keen interest in the area's development besides assuring the government of their support in connection with its internal and external policies.