PESHAWAR, Dec 2: NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman has asked law-enforcement agencies to remove shortcomings in the surveillance system for improving the law and order situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Presiding over a meeting here on Friday, the governor said that although the situation was under control, yet security arrangements needed to be tightened further, particularly the intelligence gathering system.

Political agents, district coordination officers, assistant political agents of Frontier regions, Chief Secretary Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, Maj-Gen Tariq Masood, Home Secretary Badshah Gul Wazir and Fata Secretary Shahzad Arbab attended the meeting.

The governor underlined the responsibilities of political officers and asked them to be pro active while dealing with the situation.

The Fata secretary presented an overview of the security environment in tribal areas.

The meeting noted that the law and order situation in North and South Waziristan agencies needed improvement.

It termed the surrender by certain wanted elements in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) a major breakthrough towards restoration of peace and creating understanding between elders and the administration.

The agency’s political agent informed the meeting that the administration had not entered into any deal with the wanted men, rather they had surrendered unconditionally and pledged not to harbour foreigners and that they would keep away from anti-state activities.

He said the wanted men had also pledged to remain peaceful in future and support the government’s actions for peace. The governor emphasized that political process for rapprochement and understanding must continue in both the agencies

He took strong exception to the violation of ban on heavy weapons in certain parts of Fata and ordered the political officers to start proceedings against the responsible people and tribes.

The political agents also presented reports about steps to eradicate poppy. The governor directed the authorities to initiate immediate action on receiving reports of poppy cultivation in any area.

The governor asked political authorities to avoid misusing the Frontier Crime Regulation and called for sectarian harmony in the Kurram Agency.

He also directed the authorities to take action against illegal FM radio stations operating in Fata.