ISLAMABAD, March 17: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that the government was committed to socio-economic development of tribal areas and had been increasing its share in uplift funds to improve facilities of health, education, roads, etc., in the region.

This he said while presiding over a meeting that discussed plans of the ministry of states and frontier regions.

He said people of tribal areas had rendered several sacrifices for the security and stability of the country and they deserved commendation from the nation.

He said the writ of the government would be established in tribal areas at all costs and anyone trying to jeopardise peace would be dealt with an iron hand.

Repatriation of over two million Afghan refugees came under review and it was noted that an improved situation in Afghanistan would help these refugees return home gradually.

The prime minister said that political, economic and security measures taken in Afghanistan recently would provide an incentive to returning refugees to resume a normal life in their homeland.

The meeting reviewed the status of properties of the then rulers of former states and various benefits given to them for settlement of their assets.

WRITERS’ DELEGATION: Meanwhile, the prime minister received a delegation of the Islamabad Writers Earthquake Relief Committee which presented him Rs250,000 cheque for quake victims.