PESHAWAR: Fata Students Federation (FSF), a body of students belonging to different tribal districts, have urged the government to fulfil its commitments regarding provision of basic facilities of life to the tribal people and take practical steps for rehabilitation of all damaged educational institutions to enable the students continue their studies in the militancy-hit areas.

FSF president Saeedullah Qabailee and general secretary Akbar Bajauri told mediapersons here on Sunday that the government had dodged the tribal people in the name of reforms, as it was yet to take practical steps for bringing any positive change in their life.

They said that the government had abolished admission quota and scholarship for the students in different educational institutions and as such many of them were unable to continue their education.

The tribal students also seek restoration of scholarships, quota in colleges

The FSF leaders recalled that in past the students in erstwhile Fata would get free transportation facilities, which had not been given presently. The government, they said, should restore all the facilities, including transportation, scholarship and quota in educational institutions, including professional colleges.

In addition, they demanded filling of the vacancies in schools to overcome shortage of teaching staff. They suggested that the government should introduce biometric system in educational institutions to ensure presence of teachers and other staff. Earlier, FSF also arranged students’ awards and culture show at Nishtar Hall on Sunday to encourage talented students.

Meanwhile, the residents of Shawal tehsil of North Waziristan tribal district on Sunday held a protest demonstration outside Peshawar Press Club, asking the government to take steps for rehabilitation of displaced families and issuance of computerised national identity cards and domicile certificates.

Leading the protesters, Khan Bahadur Wazir said that the local people had been facing problems in obtaining CNICs and thus they were kept deprived of ration and other facilities. They said that most of the people belonging to Janikhel, Bakakhel, Kabulkhel and Gurez tribes were facing problems. They warned to observe sit-in outside the Governor House on Monday (today) if the government did not announce measures to resolve their issues.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2019