ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan also wanted friendlyrelations with brotherly Afghanistan, adding peace would return to thatcountry after the establishment of a government there which included allpolitical parties and all stakeholders.“Insha Allah, there will be peace in Afghanistan, which will boost tradeand bring prosperity in the region. That time is not far away”, he added.Similarly, the Prime Minister said Pakistan enjoyed good relations andwanted to further strengthen its ties with brotherly Iran, which stood withPakistan in 1965 war.
The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Bajaur in 1992 and said a pictureof this beautiful area was published in his book on tribal areas, adding,he had been striving to visit the areas for the last 27 years but could notmake it due to difficult situation in tribal areas.
He said the people of tribal areas faced many hardships due to war againstterrorism as they lost their businesses, jobs, houses, and even had to facedisplacement, adding, “but now your time of ease has started.”The Prime Minister said that since tribal areas have been destroyed due towar against terrorism, the government had decided to allocate 3% ofNational Financial Award (NFC) to tribal areas.He said that with PTI having governments in Center, Punjab and KP, thefederal government in this respect would also approach the provincialgovernments in Sindh and Balochistan to get their nod on it.The Prime Minister said as the people of tribal areas had rendered immensesacrifices for the country, it was the duty of people from across Pakistan,for being Muslims, to help uplift the people of tribal areas.He, however, added the process of development in tribal areas could taketime, the people should be cautious of the enemies of Pakistan, who wouldtry to disrupt peace in the tribal region by misguiding the people oftribal areas.The Prime Minister said that FATA-KP merger would help boost development intribal areas where health and educational facilities would be provided withtheopening of hospitals, colleges and universities.Allaying the fears of Levies and Khasadars, he assured them that after themerger of erstwhile FATA with KP, they would not lose their jobs and astructurewas being introduced to absorb them in KP Police and their wages would beimproved.
The Prime Minister spoke about the country’s economic woes but alsoexpressed his confidence that with various friendly countries includingSaudi Arabia,UAE, Malaysia, China and Qatar bringing investments, theeconomic situation would further improve.
He also announced Rs. 2 billion grant to offer interest-free loans to theyouthof Bajaur so that they could start their own businesses.
In order to address the issue of electricity in far flung areas of Bajaur,the Prime Minister announced to install solar panels in 300 mosques, GridStations for Bajaur and Mohamnd and 8000 jobs for local youth.
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He said sports facilities would be built in the area for which funds havebeen released, adding, Industrial Zone would be established in the area topromotesmall businesses and cottage industry.
The Prime Minister said that the government would introduce Sehat InsafCard in tribal areas including Bajaur under which every family would haveRs. 720,000 per annum at their disposal to get them treated from anyhospital.
He also assured the people of Bajaur that they would soon be getting thefacility of Internet.
