PARACHINAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Masood Kausar on Wednesday said no timeframe could be fixed for withdrawal of combat troops from Federally Administered Tribal Areas to peacetime position.

“I can’t say anything about the timeframe to withdraw security forces from the fighting positions to peacetime positions as long as peace is not achieved in Afghanistan,” he told reporters at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Kurram Agency.

The governor said security forces would remain in Fata even after restoration of peace in tribal borderlands. He said there was instability in Afghanistan and its fallout was directly affecting nearby tribal areas.

Pakistan has over 100,000 army and paramilitary troops in Fata fighting militancy.

“I cannot give any date for the pull out of troops as well as return of the internally displaced persons to Fata,” he said.

Mr Kausar said normalcy was returning to tribal agencies and IDPs were gradually returning home.

He added that around two million people had been displaced in Fata.

He expressed satisfaction over the prevailing situation in Kurram Agency and said no major incident of violence had happened during the last two years in the valley.

He said political administration with the cooperation of elders would take more steps to keep Thall-Parachinar Road safe and secure for traffic.

He said he was optimistic that Muharram would be observed peacefully in Kurram and Orakzai agencies and Kohat division.

During interaction with the elders and other segments of the society in Parachinar, Kurram headquarters, Mr Kausar said the government could not maintain peace and stability unilaterally without the cooperation of local population.

He said the government could build schools, roads and health but needed close support of all tribes for lasting peace in Kurram.

“Kurram Agency should be a role model for the rest of tribal agencies in Fata and it can’t be achieved without the local people’s support,” he said. He warned that troublemakers would not be allowed to derail peace process in the area. Earlier, the governor inspected Parachinar Public School and laid foundation stone for construction of a polytechnic institute and inspected the site.

He issued directions for early completion of work on the project.

Mr Kausar visited Government Degree College for Women, where he was briefed about the school’s academic activities.

The college’s principal said over 1,400 girls had been enrolled in the college. On the occasion, students demanded that all vacant posts in the college be filled and contractual teachers regularised.

Also, the governor inaugurated the new building of Parachinar Press Club and administered oath of offices to its newly elected office-bearers.

He announced a grant of Rs0.2 million for the press club, said a handout.

Mr Kausar said the tribal people loved peace and led life peacefully.

He said the media should project the real face of the tribal people.

The governor later held an open kutcheri and ordered early resolution of the problems of local tribesmen.