18 January 2005	Tuesday	07 Zilhaj 1425

GHALANAI, Jan 17: Political Agent of Mohmand Agency, Sahibzada Mohammad Anees, has said that amendments to the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) are inevitable.

He, however, added that these amendments should be introduced at a "proper time" to avoid any legal and administrative vacuum in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Speaking at a press conference here, Mr Anees supported amendments to the FCR, saying the government should curtail the discretionary powers of political agents. He said the existing law had become outdated and it was need of the hour to introduce amendments in the system.

He claimed that there was no law and order situation in the region along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He denied presence of Al Qaeda and other anti-state elements in the area, saying that the administration had developed proper security mechanism in collaboration with local tribesmen.

He told a questioner that the administration would set up a public resource centre equipped with reading and research material. He said that the government had planned to improve communication network in the area.