PESHAWAR: In view of the improving security situation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan has directed the relevant authorities to shift the Cadet College Razmak back to North Waziristan Agency from Nowshera.

The directions were issued by the governor while chairing a meeting, which was attended by senior civil and military officers here.

An official statement issued here on Monday said after the successful military operation, law and order situation had amply improved in North Waziristan Agency and it was high time to start rehabilitation of local damaged buildings in the first phase.

The college has been functioning in a makeshift building in Nowshera district since 2012.

It was first shifted to Peshawar and later to Nowshera district in 2012 due to militancy and subsequent military operations against militants in North Waziristan Agency.

The authorities had earlier closed the college after militants kidnapped around 440 students and teachers when they’re traveling from Razmak to Bannu in June 2009.

The college was reopened in 2011 after tribal elders and Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur furnished guarantees to the government about safety and security of students, staff members and infrastructure.

The government had to shift students from the college in 2012 due to uncertainty and that troops were stationed in the building.

Established in mid-70s, the Cadet College Razmak is the first institution of its kind in Fata providing quality education to the students from tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The statement said a detailed briefing was given to the governor about the shifting of cadet college to Razmak.

The governor said stability and peace prevailed in Fata due to successful military operation and that a prerequisite for improvement of educational development in the country.

Security forces had launched the Zarb-i-Azb military operation in North Waziristan Agency in June 2014.

Mirali and Miramshah considered to be the safe havens of local and foreign militants have been cleared, while return of internally displaced persons has begun to some pockets of Mirali subdivision though the process is very slow.

The governor directed the relevant officials to shift the cadet college from Nowshera back to Razmak.

He said rehabilitation should be carried out in accordance with the master plan, which also entailed construction of new hostels, schools, development of other sectors and improvement of architectural work.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play