Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the extension of Political Parties Act 2002 to Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity and would be a source of empowerment to the people of the tribal areas. Addressing the signing ceremony of two important historic documents by President Asif Ali Zardari here at Aiwan-e-Sadr to expand political activities in FATA and reform in Frontier Crimes Regulation(FCR),the Prime Minister said it was the long standing demand by the people of FATA which has been fulfilled by the PPP government.
He said the people of FATA always played pivotal role in all the movements either it was the Pakistan Movement or fight against militants and they also rendered sacrifices for the country.
The Prime Minister said with the expansion of Political Party Act 2002 and reforms in century old FCR would pave the way for the progress and prosperity in the region as the people would be able to play more active role in the administrative work.
He said the PPP government will continue development projects in FATA and ensure all basic needs of life to the people living in these areas which were worst effected by the militants.
The Prime Minister said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto took special initiative for the development of the FATA and remained associated with the welfare of the people of the area.
He said the amendments in the FCR and the extension of Political Parties Order 2002 to FATA are, without any doubt, significant developments, which will have positive impact upon social and political set-up in the region.
He said the day represents the fulfilment of promise that was made at the floor of the National Assembly three and half years ago.
Gilani said, “I would like to pay rich tribute to the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari whose unwavering commitment to the cause of people’s empowerment has ushered in a new era for the people of FATA.”
The Prime Minister also congratulated Farooq H. Naek, who as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on FCR Reforms and other members of the committee did a commendable job to reform them.
He said 18th Constitutional Amendment, 7th NFC Award, and Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, the reforms in FATA are yet another crowning achievement of the government to mainstream people of FATA.
The Prime Minister said poverty, unemployment and lack of socio-economic justice provide breeding ground for extremism and terrorism.
“FATA has been a neglected as well as exploited area in the past making it vulnerable to the forces of extremism and terrorism,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the government has always argued that a long-term and sustainable solution to the problem of terrorism and extremism is not possible without bringing people into the mainstream through political, legal, social and economic reforms.
He said the extension of Political Parties Order 2002 affords a unique opportunity to the people of FATA to freely engage in political process and play their active role in the national development.
“We have broken this myth that use of force is necessary to govern the people of FATA. This landmark decision of the government would strengthen the federation by creating political environment conducive for promotion of democracy that will ensure their effective participation in the decision-making process having bearing on their collective life,” he said.
He said,”This historic day is a testimony to the commitment of the government of People’s Party and after the extension of Political Parties Order 2002, the people of FATA would get an overdue opportunity to concentrate on the socio-economic uplift of the country in general and of the region in particular.
The Prime Minister said, “We cannot succeed in comprehensively eliminating terrorism and extremism unless we develop the physical infrastructure of the tribal agencies, including quality road networks, farm-to-market roads as well as energy and irrigation projects.”
He said the government has increased the regular development budget of FATA to rs. 15 billion.
The Prime Minister said the work on Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) needs to be accelerated for maximization of potential impact.
He said it Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had a vision for FATA and established the first Cadet College in Razmak, North Waziristan.
He said the Government has launched the second Cadet College in Wana, South Waziristan and three more such colleges would be on ground very soon.
Similarly, the government has started work on two highways of international standards and work on two more is about to start.
The Prime Minister said, “We shall ensure that all traditional routes of the historical passes are brought up to international standards to facilitate trade with Afghanistan, Central Asian States and beyond.” APP
The Prime Minister said with the expansion of Political Party Act 2002 and reforms in century old FCR would pave the way for the progress and prosperity in the region as the people would be able to play more active role in the administrative work.
He said the PPP government will continue development projects in FATA and ensure all basic needs of life to the people living in these areas which were worst effected by the militants.
The Prime Minister said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto took special initiative for the development of the FATA and remained associated with the welfare of the people of the area.
He said the amendments in the FCR and the extension of Political Parties Order 2002 to FATA are, without any doubt, significant developments, which will have positive impact upon social and political set-up in the region.
He said the day represents the fulfilment of promise that was made at the floor of the National Assembly three and half years ago.
Gilani said, “I would like to pay rich tribute to the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari whose unwavering commitment to the cause of people’s empowerment has ushered in a new era for the people of FATA.”
The Prime Minister also congratulated Farooq H. Naek, who as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on FCR Reforms and other members of the committee did a commendable job to reform them.
He said 18th Constitutional Amendment, 7th NFC Award, and Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, the reforms in FATA are yet another crowning achievement of the government to mainstream people of FATA.
The Prime Minister said poverty, unemployment and lack of socio-economic justice provide breeding ground for extremism and terrorism.
“FATA has been a neglected as well as exploited area in the past making it vulnerable to the forces of extremism and terrorism,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the government has always argued that a long-term and sustainable solution to the problem of terrorism and extremism is not possible without bringing people into the mainstream through political, legal, social and economic reforms.
He said the extension of Political Parties Order 2002 affords a unique opportunity to the people of FATA to freely engage in political process and play their active role in the national development.
“We have broken this myth that use of force is necessary to govern the people of FATA. This landmark decision of the government would strengthen the federation by creating political environment conducive for promotion of democracy that will ensure their effective participation in the decision-making process having bearing on their collective life,” he said.
He said,”This historic day is a testimony to the commitment of the government of People’s Party and after the extension of Political Parties Order 2002, the people of FATA would get an overdue opportunity to concentrate on the socio-economic uplift of the country in general and of the region in particular.
The Prime Minister said, “We cannot succeed in comprehensively eliminating terrorism and extremism unless we develop the physical infrastructure of the tribal agencies, including quality road networks, farm-to-market roads as well as energy and irrigation projects.”
He said the government has increased the regular development budget of FATA to rs. 15 billion.
The Prime Minister said the work on Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) needs to be accelerated for maximization of potential impact.
He said it Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had a vision for FATA and established the first Cadet College in Razmak, North Waziristan.
He said the Government has launched the second Cadet College in Wana, South Waziristan and three more such colleges would be on ground very soon.
Similarly, the government has started work on two highways of international standards and work on two more is about to start.
The Prime Minister said, “We shall ensure that all traditional routes of the historical passes are brought up to international standards to facilitate trade with Afghanistan, Central Asian States and beyond.” APP
