PML-N MP protests Centre’s ‘disregard’ towards plight of Fata people

ISLAMABAD: The ‘depressing information’ on Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the recent Senate standing committee on less developed areas has disappointed the ruling PML-N Senator, Nisar Muhammad to such an extent that he has announced to stage token walkout from the Senate sessions each day.

Talking to ‘The News’ after the committee meeting here, Nisar regretted that despite being the most affected region by the menace of terrorism, the tribal areas continued to be neglected by the federal ministries.

“I shall be staging token walkout during each sitting of the future Senate sessions to register my anguish over continued overlooking of Fata and the victims of terrorism,” he said.He urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take personal interest in matters relating to Fata and also take stock of the prevailing ground realities so that he could better give a guideline to the ministries concerned to look after the region.

Nisar alleged that Fata was facing discriminatory treatment in educational programmes, including relief in fee and rehabilitation of the victims of acts of terrorism and in the government jobs as well.

Despite being paid less salaries and facilities, as compared to other areas, people in Fata had been discharging their official duties and rendering sacrifices. He also complained that many qualified youth were without jobs since long.

“The Centre’s treatment and its policies towards Fata are not sending good signals to the people in the tribal areas and this needs to be taken care of seriously,” he cautioned.He also reiterated his demand that scores of families, who had lost their bread-earners were living in miserable conditions, as many had no male family member left to feed them, must be given a realistic relief package through a transparent mechanism.

The ministries concerned, he complained, had been turning a blind eye to the victims of terrorist attacks, who survived, but needed proper medical treatment to recover.He dubbed it a white lie that the Higher Education Commission and the Ministry of Education failed to find ten journalists from Fata for scholarships in the European countries, whereas he pointed out 18 most talented doctors from Fata already were back after obtaining higher level of education from Cuba.

Senator Nisar praised the prime minister for announcing a number of packages but insisted that those meant for the tribal areas were not being implemented, leading to disappointment among the local people. Similarly, other less developed areas were also facing discrimination from the federal departments, he charged.