PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has vowed to take all possible steps for bringing Federally Administered Tribal Areas into the mainstream by introducing reforms to resolve the longstanding issues of tribal people.

Addressing a convention of PML-N Fata workers on Ring Road here on Tuesday, Adviser to Prime Minister Eng Amir Muqam said that Mian Nawaz Sharif was determined to accept demands of the tribal people at all costs.

He said that federal government had resolved to abolish Frontier Crimes Regulation and bring Fata at par with the developed areas of the country. He said that the PML-N government launched operation against terrorists and restored peace in the tribal areas.

Mr Muqam paid tributes to civilians and personnel of law enforcement agencies for rendering sacrifices for restoration of peace. He also appreciated tribal people for protecting the border areas of the country. He said that government was taking all possible steps to facilitate tribal people.

The PML-N leader said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had already announced to set up two universities in Fata. He said that government was focusing on provision of healthcare facilities, clean drinking water and reconstruction of infrastructure in Fata. He said that tribal people suffered greatly and deserved full attention of the government.

Mr Muqam, who is also central senior vice president of PML-N, said that his party was getting popularity and people like PTI chairman Imran Khan would be unable to beat it in the next general elections.

“Nawaz Sharif will again become prime minister in 2018 to complete the ongoing development schemes across the country,” claimed Mr Muqam. He added that Panama Leaks case was nothing but only an issue created by Imran Khan for his political interests.

The PML-N leader said that trend of observing sit-ins and taking out rallies had badly affected the country’s economy and the nation knew as to why PTI initiated such activities. He said that PML-N leadership was least bothered to pay attention to the protest rallies as it was wastage of time. Imran should compete Shahbaz Sharif in development works.

Mr Muqam said that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa voted PTI to powers but its chief Imran Khan did not honour the public mandate rather wasted national wealth on rallies, sit-ins and futile activities during the past over three years.

He said that he had presented details to federal government about problems confronted by the people of KP and practical steps would be taken for uplift of all the districts and tribal regions.

On the occasion, MNAs Shahabuddin Khan and Dr Ibadullah Khan and Faqir Mohammad Khan also spoke and claimed that PML-N was the only political party which was sincere to come up to the expectations of the people across the country.

Published in Dawn January 11th, 2017