PESHAWAR, May 28: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has reiterated that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used by foreign elements for terrorist activities.

Speaking at a jirga of tribal elders from Mohmand Agency at the People’s House here on Sunday, he said tribesmen were by and large peace-loving people and they had always showed loyalty and defended solidarity of the country.

About the prevailing situation in Fata, he said the government had taken a number of measures to bring peace and prosperity in the tribal belt. He said powers of political administration would be increased to ensure timely implementation of development schemes in tribal agencies. He said a separate authority had been established at Governor’s Secretariat to ensure utilisation of funds in a transparent manner and monitor pace of development in the area.

Mr Sherpao assured the Mohmand elders that an integrated communication network of social services would be established in Fata, which would improve the living standard of tribal people. Duty-free processing zones would also be set up in Fata to boost economic activities in the area, he added.

He said political awareness in Fata would help redress problems of tribal areas.

He said he would visit tribal agencies soon.