26 September 2004	Sunday	10 Shaban 1425

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PESHAWAR, Sept 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced lifting of economic blockade on various tribes of South Waziristan Agency so that they could continue their economic activities freely.

He announced the decision while addressing a grand tribal jirga drawn from all seven agencies and frontier regions at the Governor's House.

Mr Aziz said the issue of South Waziristan Agency would be resolved through negotiations and mutual understanding. The lifting of economic blockade would give an impetus to business of the people of the agency.

"Your prosperity is our pleasure because tribesmen are as loyal to Pakistan as anybody else. You are part of Pakistan which no body can ignore," he maintained.

He said dedication, hard work and honesty were pre-requisite for success and asked tribesmen to crush foreign terrorists who were bent upon damaging the country and its image.

He told the jirga that glorious traditions of tribesmen would not be altered, and expressed the confidence that they would continue to support endeavours of the government in the elimination of terrorism.

The government, he said, was serious in its efforts to resolve all matters through negotiations and appealed to tribesmen to come forward and assist the government in making Pakistan more strong. "If we are united, no foreign force could harm our country," he remarked.

He told the grand jirga that events of 9/11 had changed the world's political scenario as such "we have to keep our solidarity and sovereignty intact. We have to consolidate our relations with the Muslim world who have always supported us in the past."

The prime minister said that after the 9/11, some foreign forces created problems for Pakistan which tarnished image of the country and Islam. "We are determined to resolve all issues through negotiations and create an atmosphere of mutual understanding for the resolution of problems facing the nation," adding that "Pakistan is a fortress of Islam and we have strengthen this fortress with our mutual cooperation."

He made it clear that whosoever made hindrance to the achievement of the goal of set by the present government would be dealt with sternly and would be removed.

The prime minister reminded the tribesmen that the country's economy had improved during the last five years.

Referring to development activities in tribal areas, the prime minister said the ADP for Fata had been increased from Rs4 billion to Rs5 billion and the overall budget for the Fata development had reached seven to eight billion rupees for the current year.

Out of one billion rupees in the ADP, he announced provision of Rs500 million immediately. This amount, he said, would be spent on the construction of roads, provision of water, both drinking and irrigation, besides construction of hospitals, electricity and educational institutions. Six dams would be constructed in Fata, he disclosed.

The prime minister on this occasion announced 50 lungis each for all tribal agencies. He also assured the jirga that his next meeting with tribesmen would be held in the tribal area.

Earlier, elders of all tribal agencies and frontier regions presented gifts to the prime minister. The jirga was also attended by NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Yaqoob, Deputy Chairman of Senate Khalilur Rehman, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Federal Minister for Saffron Yar Muhammad Rind, Federal Minister for Tourism Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Federal Minister Sports and Youth Affairs Muhammad Ajmal Khan and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon.-APP

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