Benefits of mainstreaming becoming visible in tribal districts: Shah Jee

BARA: Tehreek-e-Islahat Pakistan chief and former member National Assembly Al-Haaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi said on Friday that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet meeting in the Khyber tribal district was a good step and benefits of the mainstreaming have started appearing.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Shah Jee criticized the federal government, saying it has failed to give relief to the masses. He said the government is continuously deceiving the masses through hollow slogans. He said inflation rate has increased further due to increasing dollar rate.

The former lawmaker said the government has also been failed to give 3 percent share to the tribal districts in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He called upon the government to announce Rs110 billion development package for the trial districts without delay. He said in case of failure of the government to announce development package, the people of the tribal districts with the help of mainstream political parties will launch a massive movement against the government. He said he is already in contact with leaders of some parties in this regard.

Shah Jee said former president of Pakistan and co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari in a recent meeting with him showed interest in the issue of NFC Award share for the tribal districts.

The former tribal lawmaker said the youth of the tribal districts must be given jobs created after merger with KP. He said elections for the provincial assembly seats in the tribal districts must also be arranged without further delay in a transparent environment. He said the local bodies polls are also needed in the tribal districts to transfer the powers to grass roots level in real sense and enable the people to reap the benefits of the merger. He said the law and order situation has again started to deteriorate which should be improved before the elections.

To a question about Afghan peace process, he said the people of the tribal districts fully support the peace initiative. He said peace in Afghanistan is vital for peace in Pakistan. He said he also fully supports the fencing of the Pak-Afghan border to stop infiltration of terrorists and better border management.

Hits: 8