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Jirga assured of due share

in poverty alleviation programme

PESHAWAR: NWFP Governor Lt Gen Muhammad Shafiq (Retd) on Saturday held out a categorical assurance to a tribal jirga in Mohmand Agency that tribal areas would be accommodated in the poverty allegation programme, launched by the government to ameliorate the lot of downtrodden masses.

Addressing the tribal jirga at Mohmand Rifles in Ghalanai, the NWFP Governor said, welfare-oriented projects would be chalked out in tribal areas under the poverty alleviation programme.

He urged the political administration to start preparing such welfare-oriented projects in their respective jurisdictions.

Shafiq told the jirga that he would talk to the Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, during his ensuing visit to Peshawar on March 10 about the allocation of funds for tribal areas in Fata under poverty alleviation programme.

About the prime minister's package announced for the development of the tribal areas, he recalled that the previous government had announced Rs 1,200 million development package but the package was abandoned by the previous government without releasing a single penny under the package.

Referring to flour crises, the Governor said the problem had engulfed the entire province. he held three main factors responsible for the crises i.e., insufficient wheat scale, presence of millions of Afghan refugees and flour smuggling to Afghanistan.

he said, the first two factors have been overcome as wheat scale has been enhanced while the strength of Afghan refuges has been included in the wheat quota.

Referring to the demand of construction of Munda Dam, he said, "We are planning to construct small dams to overcome the problem of water for irrigation purposes." he said he would also review the provision of releasing more water in Warsak left Bank canals.

He said it was his earnest desire to provide the same facility to a tribesman which were available to a citizen in Peshawar.

He recalled that he made it clear on the government functionaries in the very first meeting that "we are servant of the people and not the ruler. Moreover, we are paid for it. Serving the people is our prime responsibility."

He said he would visit the inaccessible areas of the Mohmand Agency to acquaint himself of the problems of these areas. He said he would ensure provision of clean drinking water, establishment of schools, construction of road infrastructure and hospitals in inaccessible areas of the Agency.

He declared that provision of education to both male and female is on the top of the his priorities. he said if we failed in fulfilling this primary task, the coming generation would not forgive us for this sin.

About the problem of low voltage of electricity in Mohmand Agency, he said, he discussed the matter with Wapda Chairman who ensured to spend the revenue generated in the shape of electricity bills from tribal areas, on the electricity development in Fata.

Earlier, four tribal elders Haji Abdur Rehman Khan, Malik Zarin Khan, Malik Dilawar Khan and Malik Sayyed Qahbar Khan presented collective problems of their agency which according to them is the most backward agency among all the seven tribal agencies.

The tribal elders complained that Fata DC (Fata Development Corporation) had made negligible funding in the Mohmand Agency as compared to other agencies. They also calied for enhancement in flour quota of the agency.ÑAPP