LANDI KOTAL: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri has said that the economic reforms of the federal government may be tough in the beginning but will rid the country of foreign debts in the future.

He was addressing a gathering in Jamrud on Sunday wherein the family of Malak Zahir Shah of Zorakhel tribe, previously affiliated with PML-N, announced joining the ruling PTI.

The minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was the last hope of the country’s solidarity and economic stability. He said that that people of the country had voted for an ideology instead of opportunists.

He said that Imran Khan was interested in bringing about real reforms in the administrative system of tribal regions. He would also take into account the useful tribal customs and traditions while implementing the merger plan, he added.

Mr Qadri said that local government system would be introduced in the tribal districts soon for development of the backward region. He dispelled the impression that job quota for educated tribal youth would be curtailed after the merger. He said that more job opportunities would be created after the merger.

Provincial ministers Ishtiaq Urmarr and Hashaam Inamullah along with some tribal MNAs and PTI local leaders were also present on the occasion.

Haji Ameer Mohammad announced joining PTI by the Malak Zahir Shah family on the occasion.

PROTEST: The activists of Pakistan Peoples Party organised a demonstration in Landi Kotal on Sunday against shortage of drinking water in the region and lack of medical facilities in the agency headquarters hospital.

The protesters said that residents of Landi Kotal were faced with acute shortage of drinking water for several years but the authorities failed to arrange for supply of clean drinking water.

They said that local women had to walk for several kilometres to fetch a bucket of water for their personal use. “The owners of water tankers have also increased the rates, which the poor people can’t afford,” they added.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2018