GHALANAI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said Fata tribesmen were the real defenders of Pakistan and its frontiers and their sufferings should be eased by doing away with the ‘draconian’ FCR law.

He was addressing a public meeting at Safi tehsil here. Tight security arrangements were made during the PTI leader’s visit to the tribal region.

PTI workers and leaders from Bajaur Agency also attended the gathering. PTI MNA Aesha Gulalai, Dr Israr Safi and other leaders also addressed the meeting.

Mr Qureshi said the tribal people rendered many sacrifices during war against terrorism as they lost lives, properties and got displaced from their homes. He said the tribesmen were true and patriotic Pakistanis.

He appreciated the spirit of youth, saying they were talented and would better defend the country.

The PTI central leader said he came to the tribal area to convey Imran Khan’s message to them to join PTI to ‘save’ Pakistan from its enemies and corrupt elements.

He came down hard on NGOs and international donor agencies in Fata, saying they were spending millions of dollars on the projects which didn’t benefit the common people.

He regretted that there was no hospital for children in Safi tehsil, adding the road was dilapidated and schools had been closed for last 10 years. He vowed that PTI would change destiny of the tribal people.

Mr Qureshi said he would raise the FCR issue in the National Assembly. He said the PTI wanted to extend the local bodies system to Fata. He said PTI chief Imran Khan wanted the Fata people to decide their fate either they wanted a separate province or merger with KP.

On the occasion, PTI workers chanted ‘go FCR go’ and ‘go Nawaz go’ slogans.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2016