GHALANAI (Mohmand Agency), April 23: The raditional tribal system in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) is being strengthened and the status of Maliks is being restored.

This was stated by NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman who was addressing at a tribal jirga during his one-day visit to the Mohmand Agency headquarters on Saturday.

Elders of Mohmand, Safi and Utmankhel tribes attended the jirga.

The governor said that development was linked to peace and maintenance of peace depended on strengthening the tribal system.

He asked the tribesmen to resolve their disputes for smooth development of the area.

He urged the tribesmen to keep vigilant to check entry of people from other side of the border into the Mohmand Agency.

In this connection, he referred to a recent incident in Bajaur Agency in which a security guard was killed while chasing a foreign terrorist.

The governor announced to set up a modern marble exploration and cutting factory in Mohmand Agency in collaboration with an Italian firm.