KHAR, Sept 7: PML-N MNA from Bajaur Agency Shahabuddin Khan on Saturday said that the federal government would soon announce a reforms package for Fata which would ensure equal rights to the tribal people.

He was talking to a delegation of All Bajaur Political Parties Alliance here on Saturday.

Mr Shahabuddin said Frontier Crimes Regulation and absence of constitutional rights was the main hurdle in the way of progress of tribesmen.

He said that Fata was a part of Pakistan and tribesmen had always rendered valuable sacrifices for the larger interest of the country, but unfortunately they had been deprived of fundamental rights.

He said unlimited powers of political administration, ignorance and lack of basic citizen rights and social justice kept the tribesmen backward.

He said he would continue efforts to bring revolutionary changes in the tribal system.

He said that he had informed Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and other senior party leaders about the problems of tribesmen.

“The prime minister has assured me of making meaningful reforms in the current tribal system and also promised to introduce constitutional rights to the tribal areas,” he said.

Mr Shah said that the federal government had also increased the annual development funds of Fata and taken steps to ensure transparency in execution of development schemes.

He said efforts had been accelerated for establishing Fata Medical College in Bajaur Agency and that site had been selected for this purpose.

“Academic session in the university will start within months,” he said.

The Fata lawmaker said that the establishment of the medical college would boost socio-economic condition of the agency.

On the occasion, leaders of All Bajaur Political Parties Alliance informed the MNA about the problems facing the tribesmen in Bajaur Agency.

They asked the lawmaker to arrange surprise visits to public offices, health and education institutions to ensure their smooth functioning.

They also urged him to highlight their problems in the National Assembly and convince the federal government to introduce local government system in the tribal areas.