PESHAWAR, Aug 29: NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman has described the performance of law-enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property of the people as commendable.

Referring to the situation prevailing over the last few years, he said that despite the fact that the country was faced with challenges because of international developments issues like terrorism and extremism within the country, the role of law-enforcement agencies is of great importance.

Addressing as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Annual Sports Week of Frontier Constabulary at its premises at Hayatabad, Peshawar, on Monday afternoon, the governor said that Pakistan, especially the NWFP had been facing various difficulties because of the geographical importance.

However, he remarked, the process of reforms and improvement is also progressing simultaneously. He especially referred to the devolution of powers to the grass-roots level and said that the system had now developed on a strong footing.

The governor said that the process of reforms in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) is also in progress and during the first stage the respective law-enforcement agencies are being strengthened with better training facilities as well as better salary packages and pension.

Referring to the performance of the Frontier Constabulary (FC), the governor said the FC was also performing duties of a highly important and sensitive nature throughout the country, decides carrying out its duty in the NWFP and the tribal areas.

Despite forceful demand, he remarked, the respective institutions were reluctant to surrender its units to the province, which, he added, was itself a proof of its importance as well as an honour for its officers and jawans.