KHAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Thursday said his government would make every effort to turn tribal districts into the most developed and prosperous areas of the province.

“Our government has planned to make tribal districts the model areas of the province in all aspects. The people will soon see development in their areas with their own eyes,” the chief minister told a jirga here during his first visit to Bajaur tribal district after assuming the office.

The jirga, which was attended by tribal elders, notables and political activists, was called by the local administration to welcome the chief minister at the Bajaur Scouts headquarters.

Mahmood promises early completion of merger process

Besides political activists and traders, PTI lawmakers Gul Dad Khan and Gul Zafar Khan were also in attendance.

Senior civil and military officials including Frontier Corps (North) inspector general Major General Rahat Naseem, provincial government’s spokesmen Ajmal Wazir, commissioner of Malakand division Zahirul Islam, sector commander Brigadier Raja Naeem Akbar and deputy commissioner of Bajaur Usman Mehsud attended the meeting.

The chief minister said he had come to the region to know about the people’s problems.

He declared Fata’s merger with KP a remarkable and historical move saying it will ensure socioeconomic development of the residents of tribal areas.

“The Fata-KP merger will bring about revolutionary changes in the life of tribesmen, who have long been deprived of basic and essential rights,” he said.

Mr Mahmood said the merger process would be completed very soon.

He said he had directed all ministers to visit tribal districts to know about the residents’ problems and ensure their early resolution.

The chief minister said the Sehat Insaf Card initiative would be extended to all tribal districts to offer free healthcare to the residents.

He said the government wanted the holding of local body and provincial assembly elections in tribal districts at the earliest.

Mr Mahmood later attended the passing-out parade of Bajaur Levies recruits and appreciated the force for anti-terrorist efforts in the district.

Meanwhile, scores of PTI workers demonstrated here complaining they’re ignored during the chief minister’s visit.

The two demonstrations attended by the workers of Insaf Youth Wing and Insaf Students Federation were staged outside and inside the Civil Colony, where the chief minister addressed a function of Bajaur Levies Force.

The protesters shouted slogans against the local administration and lawmakers for not inviting them to the chief minister’s functions.

They also criticised the chief minister for not meeting with them and insisted that most participants of the chief minister’s functions were opposed to reforms.

The PTI workers announced that they boycott the future functions of the chief minister, ministers and party lawmakers.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2019