LB elections in Fata to be held in October: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday on the floor of the National Assembly (NA) announced to complete all the formalities in consultation with parliamentary leaders of other political parties to implement the Fata reforms before end of tenure of National Assembly on May 31 as the local bodies (LB) elections in Fata would also be held during the month of October this year.

The prime minister, while giving details of the Fata reforms committee held on Wednesday, said the process for mainstreaming of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in light of recommendations of the committee would be completed within the next four weeks’ time. “All institutions of the country are committed to bringing Fata into the political mainstream,” he said.

Khaqan Abbasi said thanks to sacrifices of security forces, peace had been restored in Fata and it was high time that people of tribal areas are brought into the national mainstream. “We hope and want that all the political parties support us implementation of Fata reforms,” he said.

He said the reforms committee took certain important decision with regard to Fata reforms and for this purpose, he would meet parliamentary leaders of all the political parties in the next couple of days.

“Fata reforms are need of Pakistan, Pakistani people and Fata people,” he maintained. The prime minister also informed that as per decision taken during the reforms committee, the Agency Development Fund had been abolished. “The people of Fata will get rid of Agency Development Fund from today,” he said.

He said that Rs1000 billion would be required in the next 10 years to complete planned development work in addition to funds being spent in the area. However, he said the matter to procure development funds would have to be taken to the Council of Common Interest (CCI), adding the government will take every step for equalisation of Fata with other parts of the country.

Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the National Assembly hall towards the end of proceedings after chairing meetings of the National Security Committee (NSC) and Fata Reforms Committee while time frame for elections of National Assembly and provincial assembly seats would be announced after consultation with other political parties. As part of reforms, the jurisdictions of Supreme Court of Pakistan and Peshawar High Court have already been extended to Fata through an Act of Parliament.