PESHAWAR, July 1: A special committee would select competent and efficient officers on merit as political agents (PAs) in tribal areas with emphasis on their knowledge about local customs and traditions, says Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.

He was talking to a delegation of tribal elders from the Mohmand Agency here on Saturday.

Mr Sherpao said that a proper procedure would be adopted and competence would be the only criteria for selection.

He said that the Levies Force would be deployed in Mohmand and other tribal agencies and would work under political agents, adding that Fata development funds had been increased to Rs10 billion in the current financial year.

The interior minister said that foreign-funded industrial zones would be set-up in Fata, which would have direct access to markets abroad.

Mr Sherpao said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had held detailed discussions about industrial uplift of the tribal areas with President Pervez Musharraf during her recent visit to Pakistan. The setting up of textile and marble industrial zones would usher in a new era of prosperity in the tribal regions and would help generate employment opportunities there.

Mr Sherpao said that President Musharraf wanted to resolve Waziristan problems in line with tribal traditions and has, therefore, suggested formation of a grand tribal jirga to work out a viable solution to the issue. He appreciated the decision of a ceasefire by militants in Waziristan, adding that progress was impossible without peace and both are inter-linked.

Mr Sherpao said that basic amenities of life, including schools, hospitals, roads, clean drinking water would be provided in the tribal belt, adding that priority would be given to the most deprived tribal areas.

He said that an authority would be set up in Fata Secretariat, which would monitor and ensure implementation of development funds and projects in the agencies. The government would ensure the just distribution of funds in Fata and would not tolerate any injustice, he assured.

Referring to the delegation’s demands about enhancement of National Assembly seats in Mohmand Agency, Interior Minister said that a Nadra team would soon register voters to ascertain the real number of eligible voters there.

Later, the interior minister said that the federal government wanted to pursue a policy of lasting peace which was not possible without the tribesmen’s help. He appreciated that peace had never been a problem in Mohmand Agency as it has rendered innumerable services for the country’s welfare and has never shirked away from sacrificing their lives for safeguarding its frontiers.

Earlier, heads of Mosakhel village of Mohmand Agency highlighted the problems of their area. — APP