CADET College in Razmak, North Waziristan, is currently working as a ‘mobile’ teaching institute since the worsening of the security situation and kidnapping of students of the college.

Cadets of the college were first moved to Peshawar by security agencies and then to the original location. But after the bombing they were shifted to Nowshera cantonment.

Thanks to the college administration that the aggrieved parents have taken a sigh of relief as students are back to normal education.

The people of Fata wish that the college stay at the current place until normalisation of the security situation in North Waziristan.

This college is providing tribal students quality education.

However, the government’s decision to abandon the strategically important project of ‘provision of higher education opportunities for students of Balochistan and Fata’ will deprive students of affected areas of quality education. Since education in Fata and Balochistan has not returned to its pre-war level and majority of Fata people, especially of South Waziristan, North Wazirstan and Tirah region, are still living as internally displaced persons (IDPs), the people of war-affected areas request the government to continue this programme so that Fata and Balochistan students can access quality education and contribute to the development of Pakistan.

The project, with less than one billion rupees, could go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of people.

AKRAM KHAN MAHSUDSouth Waziristan Agency