GHALANAI, June 2: Tribal Elders, Political leaders
and media representatives united in the political compound at Ghalanai
Headquarters of Mohmand agency on the invitation of Political Agent Mohmand
agency and commandant Mohmand rifles to celebrate the historic KP and Fata
merger here on Friday evening.
At least 200 prominent elders, leaders and members
of civil society participated in the Iftaar.
Speaking on
the occasion Commandant Mohmand Rifles Colonel Arfan Ali congratulated the
elders on the formal launch of the reform process in Fata. He cited the
sacrifices rendered by the military and the proud tribal people in attaining
sustainable peace in the region. He emphasized the need for the translation of
this peace dividend into an all-encompassing prosperity for the tribal belt and
Mohmand Agency.
Political Agent Wasif Saeed felicitated the
participants and stated that it was a blessing that this historical event of
Merging FATA into KP took place in the holy month of Ramazan. He said that the
tribal people and military had rendered countless sacrifices especially over
the last 18 years.
“Times had changed and now it was not possible to
usher prosperity in FATA without introducing institutional and legal reform”
said Saeed. PA Mohmand said that tradition and transition will go in tandem to
ensure that the peace dividend ushers in an area of prosperity and plenty for
the whole of fata and Mohmand Agency.
He conveyed that transition will take place phase
wise and the people, tribal elders and civil society in FATA will be part of
the consultative process.
He added that Mohmand agency will have a share of at
least 14 billion in the 100 billion Per Year Socio Economic Development plan
for successive 10 years.
This funding will be in addition to Fata Annual
Development Program funding, donor funding for the agency and any special
program funding earmarked for the agency Wasif Saeed told.
It was
elaborated that setting up local government system in FATA was the corner stone
of mainstreaming of fata he added.
He said Local
government elections were planned to be held in October and as indicated 40 percent
of the funding of socio economic development plan was to be utilized by local
bodies. This translated roughly as 5 to 6 billion rupees.
“This means that
through local representatives the people of FATA will no more be dependent on
the office of PA/DC, FATA secretariat, civil secretariat Peshawar or the
federal government for localized development” he said.
He told that the
local representatives will decide, plan and execute localized development for
themselves and by themselves.
He invited the
attention of the audience to the fact that due to staffing issues health and
educational facilities remain nonfunctional despite physical completion.
The fact that
thousands of SNES (Schedule for New expenditure) lay pending and hence we see
that service delivery structures were rudimentary or not functioning optimally
in FATA Wasif Saeed said. After the provincial and local government structures
staffing issues will be resolved.
He said that FATA
will have representation not only in Parliament but also Members in the
provincial assembly. They will be best ambassadors for the tribal people and
shall champion the cause of the tribal people much more effectively,
efficiently and swiftly.
He added that only yesterday the Economic Coordination Committee announced
Tax exemptions and other incentives for FATA and PATA for the next five years
alone. He assured the tribal elders that the incentives, perks and privileges
enjoyed by the tribes and elders will be honored and shall not only stay intact
but increased in various ways.
It was added
that Levis and Khasadar force will also be improved and strengthened by
introducing structural and administrative reforms.
He cited the
disparity in salaries and fringe benefits enjoyed by the counterparts in police
force. He said that soon the Levis force will also enjoy the same remunerations
and benefits.
Speaking of the various initiatives undertaken in
the agency in the last two months when the PA took charge of Office such as the
abolition of 40 taxes from the agency development fund, establishing price
control committees at tehsil levels, controlling the outspread of
Leishminiasis(Skin ulcer) , decommissioning many of the check posts from
checking duties on Bajaur Peshawar highway, restoration of the cellular
networks in Mohmand Agency and also instituting the initiation of corporate
social responsibility by the multi nationals and big businesses going on in the
Mohmand Agency . He referred them as a prelude to the formal introduction of
FATA Reforms in Mohmand Agency.
He thanked the commandant Mohmand Rifles Colonel
Arfan Ali for his unflinching support in undertaking these initiatives. He also
thanked the IG FC North Major General Waseem Ashraf for guidance and support in
undertaking the above mentioned initiatives.
