July 18, 2008	Friday	Rajab 14, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 17: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured Fata legislators that in future all decisions about tribal areas will be taken in consultation with the tribal leadership.

He was talking to a nine-member delegation of Fata MNAs, led by federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi, at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani was also present.

According to sources, the legislators complained that all actions, including the military operation, in tribal areas had been taken without consulting them and said that this was against the principle of supremacy of parliament.

They assured the prime minister of tribesmen’s full support for peace in the region and safeguard of the frontiers against infiltration from across the border. They said that all local issues should be resolved through jirgas in consultation with the political administration.

The prime minister announced a special grant of Rs10 million for each Fata MNA to solve the problem of electricity. He asked the legislators to come up with projects and plans for the people of Fata and promised them more funds.