DURING his speech in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has paid tribute to the people of Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recognition of their sufferings in the war on terror. He said the sacrifices rendered by the Pakhtuns were unimaginable.

No doubt, the sacrifices of the people of the province andthe tribal areas are without parallel, particularly in the past three years ... which saw many women becamewidows and children orphans.

To compensate the people is a very difficult task but at least the government should encourage them. Besides thousands of civilians, a large number of security personnel, law enforcers and political activists also lost their lives.

Losses accruing from the destruction of property ...

and other infrastructure are also on record. There are many instances where the affected people have yet to get proper compensation.

As a result of the destruction of hundreds of educationalinstitutions thousands of students have suffered; many have said goodbye to their studies.

...Almost every family in the province has suffered to some extent.... It is appreciable that the government has approved a financial package for the law enforcers but civilians also need the same support. The terrorists are sillactive and carrying out acts of sabotage acts . .

The people of the affected areas are of the opinion that keeping in viewtheir sacrifices the federal government and the international community should extend full financial support to enable them to restart a normal life ... The political parties should also extend support to the government to adopt durable policies to support the poor , especially those affected by the war ... otherwise society will be overburdened ... and social problems will increase manifold in the country.— (Jan 10)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.