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| May 25, 2005 | Wednesday | Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1426 |
Amendments due in FCR, says governor
PESHAWAR, May 24: NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman said on Tuesday that all unfair clauses of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) would be amended in consultation with people of the tribal areas. Describing the FCR as a unique legal document, the governor said it had not contributed to the welfare of the people as the British rulers who had enforced it sought only to advance their interests.
He said that recently a high-powered committee was constituted to review each and every clause of the FCR. Recommendations of the committee would be implemented in consultation with the people of the tribal areas, the governor said in a handout issued here.
According to him, any change in the tribal system in the backdrop of the changing world would be in accordance with the aspirations of the tribesmen and in conformity with their customs and traditions.
Speaking at a tribal jirga of Khurram Agency at Parachinar during a one-day visit to the town, the governor said that all the tribes of Khurram Agency were promoting sectarian harmony.
He expressed hope that the atmosphere of peace would be maintained. He said the recent agreement between the tribes was an unprecedented development that would help to make the atmosphere conducive for development.
The governor called upon the tribesmen at the jirga to educate their children and assured them that the government would utilise all the available resources to promote education.
The governor took serious note of the prevailing absenteeism in education and health institutions and warned that inefficient and irresponsible officials would face penalties.
He claimed that the tribal areas could see a socio-economic revolution if the mineral deposits of Fata could be properly explored and exploited. A fresh initiative has been taken and relevant instructions made to the concerned departments in this regard, according to him.
To explore avenues of investment in this vital sector, he said, the government is inviting foreign experts and investors to visit mineral-bearing areas. He said that mineral exploitation would be developed on modern scientific lines to avoid losses during the process. The mineral industry would not only generate job opportunities but would also ensure socio-economic development in backward areas, he added.
Referring to the demands presented by the jirga, he assured the jirga that staff deficiency in the health and education department would be removed very soon as the government had already chalked out a strategy for the purpose.
He also asked the jirga to install electricity meters. Domestic consumers would have to install meters as without meterisation, electricity facility would not be extended.
Political Agent Syed Zaheerul Islam informed the governor of the geo-historical importance, the law and order situation and development profile of the agency. Mr Islam said that Rs450 million had been spent on development schemes out of the total development outlay of the agency under the current annual development programme.
The governor also performed the groundbreaking ceremony of three new projects, including a press club, a new office building of the health department and a dental block in the Agency Headquarters Hospital, Parachinar.
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