Govt committed to bringing Fata at par with other regions: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday said the government is committed to bring Federally Administered Tribal Areas at par with other regions of the country through reforms and ensuring socio economic development of the region.

He stated introduction of comprehensive reforms in FATA was a step in right direction and would be instrumental in meeting longstanding demands of the people of the region. The president expressed these views while chairing a presentation on FATA Reforms here at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

Advisor to prime minister on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, Law Minister Zahid Hamid, SAFRON Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and National Security Advisor Nasser Khan Janjua were also present on the occasion.

The president stated that Fata reforms should be in line with aspirations of people of the region and all stakeholders should be taken on board. He stressed the need to have an effective check and balance mechanism to ensure proper utilization of development funds.

The president was apprised that the members of FATA Reforms committee held meetings with all stakeholders including elected representatives of FATA tribal maliks and elders representatives of political parties traders journalists youth and civil society organizations together their opinion and suggestions before finalizing its recommendations for future of the region.