KHAR: The people of Bajaur tribal district have expressed concern over reduction in quota of admission in Razmak Cadet College in North  Waziristan tribal district.

Bajaur Political Alliance president Aurangzeb Inqilabi said while addressing a press conference at Bajaur Press Club that the government is making tall claims about promotion of education in merged tribal districts, but in reality, the existing quotas of students from merged districts are also being abolished at different national educational institutions. He said the people of Bajaur will have to approach the court if their 12 percent quota in Razmak Cadet College was not restored immediately.

The parents of students have also called upon the local lawmakers to take notice of the issue and convey their grievances to the concerned authorities.

According to information received by TNN from citizen journalist Fazle Wahab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman has reduced the quota of students from Bajaur in Razmak Cadet College to 2 percent from the previous 12 percent. The people from Bajaur and Mohmand districts termed it a big injustice with their children.

The students were asked to submit fee for admission in Razmak Cadet College and they  were called for interview on January 29 at FG College Peshawar, but these admissions were cancelled on February 15.

The affected students said they were expecting increase in seats at the cadet college after merger of erstwhile Fata with KP, but instead the existing quota of tribal students was also reduced which tantamount to pushing the students to the wall.

Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had approved 15 seats for Bajaur students in the cadet college. The population of Bajaur has grown enormously since then, but no increase has been made in admission quota.

The students said a proposal was made in increase in seats keeping in view the increase in population. However, they said, instead of increase, the seats of Bajaur and Mohmand districts were reduced from 10 to two only. On the other hand, they said, the seats of North Waziristan have been increased from 10 to 50.

The students from Bajaur and Mohmand say they also deserve increased quota in Razmak Cadet College as they also have right to get quality education.