LANDI KOTAL, June 18: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah on Wednesday said 20 colleges would be established in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in two years.
Talking to a a delegation of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) at Governor’s House in Peshawar, he said a cadet college would be established at Thall that would help the students from North and South Waziristan, Kurram and Orakzai agencies. The government was giving top priority to education, he said. He said there were 10 colleges in the eight tribal agencies.
He assured full protection of life and property to the tribal journalists in the performance of their duties.
The 12-member delegation, led by TUJ President Sailab Mahsood, apprised the governor of the problems being faced by journalists in Fata.
Members of the delegation complained about harassment and threats to their lives by certain elements. They also complained about non-cooperation of the political administration.
The governor assured the delegation that he would instruct the political agents to furnish all possible information to the newsmen regarding the government policies.
He said the matter of provision of accreditation cards to tribal journalists would be taken up with the federal government and the press information department. He said he would talk to the city district government regarding provision of residential plots to Fata journalists in the Regi Lalma housing scheme.
Regarding the establishment of a media centre for tribal journalists in Peshawar, Mr Shah suggested that it should be established near Jamrud and directed the authorities concerned to find a suitable place for it.
PPI adds: Meanwhile, talking to a 34-member group of participants of an advanced course in public sector management, conducted by NIPA, Lahore, he said with the establishment of new colleges in Fata by the end of this month, the existing facilities would be doubled. During the next financial year, 10 more such colleges are to be opened, he added.
He said the primary and middle schools falling in the purview of respective colleges would also be upgraded to the next higher stratum.
In fact, he said, there was growing realization and awareness among the tribal people about the importance of education, and the government was taking every step to meet their requirement.
In this connection, he added, girls education was also being given equal importance. To facilitate the teaching staff, required accommodation facilities would also be developed simultaneously at the agency headquarters level. Besides, the governor said, 300 community schools were also being established in the tribal areas.
He said Fata needed a change in the system, and “we have already prepared a reforms package for the purpose.” There may be a delay but ultimately it has to take effect at a suitable time, he added.