MIRANSHAH: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said that mainstreaming of FATA was key to its long-term progress and prosperity for which government was working in line with the aspirations of the people of tribal areas.
Prime Minister Abbasi and Chief of Amy Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa jointly visited Miranshah and Ghulam Khan areas of North Wazirstan Agency on Monday. On arrival in Miranshah, the prime minister laid a wreath at the Shuhada Monument and offered prayers for the martyrs who rendered supreme sacrifices for restoration of peace and stability in the country.
The prime minister lauded brave tribesmen for their unwavering support in fight against terrorism and ridding tribal areas of terrorists. He inaugurated the newly constructed Miranshah Market Complex constructed by Pakistan Army, which includes 1,344 shops, parks, car parking, solar lights, driveways and a water supply network.
The prime minister also inaugurated Ghulam Khan Trade Terminal in North Wazirstan Agency, a part of central trade corridor. The newly constructed trade terminal and communication infrastructure in tribal areas would connect this market complex with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at Dera Ismail Khan and would have its share in national and regional trade routes.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that these social-economic projects were just the beginning and many more such projects were in the pipeline for FATA in addition to the ones which had been completed or were in progress across region. Rehabilitation of the temporarily displaced persons of tribal areas and socio-economic uplift of FATA is priority objective of the government, he added.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, ministers, senators and corps commander Peshawar were also present during the visit.
Published in Daily Times, May 1st 2018.
