PESHAWAR: Orakzai Agency MNA Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal on Saturday said Fata parliamentarians had agreed on the establishment of the mountainous region’s first university in Darra Adamkhel area of FR Kohat.

He, however, said the decision on the matter would be made by the federal government.

The MNA was speaking at a function organised by Fata Students Organisation (FSO) at Nishtar Hall here. During the event, 60 high-archiving students from Fata were given awards.

Dr Ghazi claims MPs of tribal region agree on university’s establishment in Darra

Teachers and journalists from the region also got awards for excellent performance.

Dr Ghazi Gulab said Fata people wanted early restoration of peace, respectable repatriation of IDPs, and rehabilitation of infrastructure and education and health facilities in their region.

He also said Article 247 of the Constitution should be amended to enable Fata parliamentarians to legislate on the development of their region.

The MNA said efforts would be made for the constitutional amendment in question to bring about a real change in the life of Fata people.

He said Fata lawmakers would call an all-party conference in Islamabad on the matter at an appropriate time.

“Unless tribal lawmakers are empowered, they can’t do anything for their people. We, the parliamentarians, want to turn Fata into a peaceful and developed region,” he said.

Dr Ghazi Gulab announced Rs100,000 donation for the FSO activities.

He also said works of tribal poets would be published under the Fata Taroon programme to promote literary activities in the region.

PTI MNA from South Waziristan Aisha Gulalai told participants that she parted ways with Pakistan People’s Party after she found its leadership to be not interested in resolving the problems of its own people.

She said the PTI government was keen to resolve the issues of IDPs on priority basis.

The MNA said education was the basic need of the tribal people.

“You will stand nowhere if you’re uneducated. I am happy that girls are getting education and proving they’re talented,” she said.

The PML-N, PML-Q, ANP, PTI, JI, JUI-F and PPP leaders from the tribal region also addressed the function.

Earlier, FSO chief Shaukat Aziz demanded the establishment of a university and a medical college in Fata, early repatriation of IDPs from tribal area, concession in fee for displaced tribal students and the reconstruction of schools in tribal agencies.

He also called for the authorities to ensure that schoolteachers avoid absence from work and do duty diligently.

The FSO chief asked Fata parliamentarians to play an effective role to secure constitutional rights for the region.

“Why is an endless and futile war being fought on our land? Why are our schools being destroyed? Why are pens and books being snatched from our children?”

Shaukat Aziz said his organisation was founded a year ago to work for the welfare of Fata students.

He said tribal students had great talents and needed to be given opportunities to use them.

Despite heavy rains in and around the city, students and elders from Fata attended the event in large numbers.

Later, a musical concert was held, where folk Pashto singers Gulzar Alam, Khalid Malik, Jehanzeb Bangash, Zarka, Bilal Khan and Salma Naz performed.

Young poet Ikramullah Sparlay from Bajaur Agency recited a poem highlighting the overall Fata situation and received a round of applause from participants.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2015

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