PESHAWAR: Tribal Youth Moment, formerly Fata Students Organisation, on Wednesday urged the government to implement its decision regarding initiation of development schemes in Fata under the reforms programme so that the people of the tribal districts could also avail the facilities on pattern of other regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The demand was made by the movement’s president Shaukat Aziz while speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday.

He recalled the sacrifices rendered by the people, especially the students of tribal regions over the past many decades, which resulted in the introduction of Fata reforms.

Referring to the government’s decision regarding allocation of funds for development of tribal districts, Mr Aziz stressed the need that all the relevant departments, political parties and civil society organisations should monitor the process of development so that funds could be spent properly.

He said that the government should take keen interest in setting up of quality educational institutions, healthcare centres, and ensure supply of smooth power supply in the region.

“We have been fighting for rights of our people and will continue the struggle despite merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he vowed and added that only making announcements about reforms was not enough unless the people were provided with easy and cheap justice at their doorsteps.

Appreciating the people of tribal districts for struggling for their rights, Mr Aziz said the tribal people would continue making efforts until the local legal system was overhauled and basic facilities were provided across the region.

The movement’s general secretary Irshad Afridi, vice president Murtaza Khan, women wing president Kashf Khan Orakzai and Ms Hajra Afridi also shared views about problems in the tribal districts.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2018