September 20, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 19, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Sept 19: Lawmakers from the restive tribal belt on Friday unanimously decided to show their anger and reservations over the killing of civilian population when President Asif Ali Zardari addresses joint session of the parliament on Saturday.

Parliamentarians from tribal areas particularly from Bajaur on Friday discussed their plan with trade union leaders, elders and other influentials from Bajaur and South and North Waziristan.

“We, the legislators from FATA would press the President when he would address the parliament, for protection to civilian population during military operation, compensation to the affected people and reconstruction in their areas,” Akhonzada Chatan, MNA from Bajaur Agency told Dawn on Friday.

“Our constituents demand security to their lives, reconstruction, compensation and rehabilitation of the refugees,” he added.

Flanked by MNA Engr Shaukatullah who also met his constituents in Rawalpindi, Mr Chatan regretted that the war on terror was targeting only civilian population. “The peaceful tribesmen are being killed in either drone attacks, or by the military or the Taliban,” he asserted.

He said that all the legislators from tribal areas would stand up in the parliament and demand President Asif Zardari to ensure security to the lives and properties of peaceful tribal people during the on-going military operation.

“We hope the president would not disappoint us and the tribal people as well. We urge the president to defend his people and prove himself as the true symbol of federation and head of state,” MNA Shaukatullah said.

President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to address the parliament on Saturday for the first time since taking oath of presidency.