TIMERGARA: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has shown reservations over the report presented by Fata reforms committee in the Parliament, saying it includes incorrect statistics.

He was addressing a ‘Paigham-i-Aman conference’ here on Sunday that was attended by JUI workers and elders of Lower Dir, Upper Dir and Bajaur Agency.

The conference was also addressed by Federal Minister for Housing Akram Khan Durrani, JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, Maulana Rahat Hussain, JUI-F provincial general secretary Maulana Shujaul Mulk, Dir JUI-F emir Maulana Zahid Khan, Bajaur emir Maulana Abdul Rashid and Qazi Fazlullah.

Says future of Fata should be decided according to wishes of tribal people

The JUI-F chief said that tribal people were patriotic citizens of the country but they were displaced in the name of war against terrorism.

He said that Fata was declared a hub of terrorism and tribesmen were tortured, displaced and insulted.

Mr Rehman said that the future of Fata should be decided according to the wishes of tribal people. He rejected the report of Fata reforms committee, saying the report was full of incorrect statistics and information.

Criticising the USA, he said that innocent people were killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen but peace was not established there. He also demanded dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The JUI-F chief also criticised Nadra for blocking national identity cards of tribesmen and asked the authorities to unblock their identity cards. He said that foreign policy of the country needed overhauling.

Mr Rehman said that workers of his party would fight alongside army if India attacked Pakistan. He said that religious scholars and students of seminaries always defeated aggressors.

“People of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see real change after 2018 general elections,” Mr Rehman said, adding that JUI-F would form next government in the province.

He said that JUI-F would celebrate its 100th foundation day in Peshawar in April next year. He asked people to ensure their presence on the occasion.

Addressing the conference, Akram Khan Durrani said that JUI-F came into power after ‘Aalami Deoband Conference’ was held in Peshawar. He said that the party would again come into power after the three-day 100th foundation day celebrations in Peshawar.

Mr Durrani said that no change was brought anywhere in the province as provincial government was busy on Facebook and media only. He said that the PTI government even did not know how to spend funds on development projects.

Mr Durrani said that MMA government had initiated mega development projects in backward districts of the province. He said that MMA government ensured distribution of free textbooks among students of the province.

The federal minister alleged that PTI was following foreign agenda and wanted to mislead the young generation. He also criticised JI and ANP for what he called their failed policies.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2016