MIRANSHAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said Pakistan will not fight an ‘imposed war’ inside its territory again as it has already paid a heavy price for the ongoing fight against terrorism.
“We have fought an imposed war inside our country as our war at a very heavy cost of sweat and blood and loss to our socio-economic fiber. We shall not fight any such war again inside Pakistan,” the prime minister said while addressing a combined jirga of elders from North and South Waziristan during his visit to North Waziristan. “No other country or their armed forces have done what Pakistan and its armed forces did in the war against terrorism,” he asserted.
The prime minister said Pakistan wants peace in neighbouring Afghanistan. “We are for peace beyond borders, especially in Afghanistan. We will play our role in Afghan peace process along with other stakeholders as peace in Afghanistan is critical for achieving enduring peace in Pakistan,” he maintained.
The prime minister paid rich tributes to the martyrs and their families who sacrificed for the safety, security and prosperity of the people of Pakistan and the motherland. He also appreciated the people of erstwhile FATA who had gone through very challenging and difficult times while facing the menace of terrorism. He hailed the achievements of Pakistan Army, all other security forces and intelligence agencies for their successful operations against terrorists.
On the occasion, the prime minister announced various welfare packages in the fields of health, education, employment and administration for the newly established districts of erstwhile FATA. He announced allocation of 3% of the NFC share of all the provinces for the merged districts and early conduct of local government and provincial elections to ensure transfer of power to the grassroots level.
The prime minister announced introduction of police reforms and resolution of all issues concerning Levies and Khasadars by ensuring their job security, besides system of dispute resolution council (DRC) to ensure speedy justice and resolution of all issues through consultation. He also announced a medical college along with hospital for the North Waziristan District and South Waziristan District, university for North Waziristan District, army cadet college for North Waziristan District, health insurance cards for the residents of the merged districts and tele-medics system to fulfill the deficiency of specialist doctors.
The prime minister announced mega share for the merged districts from jobs offered by Qatar, enrolment in police and Frontier Corps, special quota for under-developed regions, restoration of cellular service in North Waziristan District and South Waziristan District and loans for house building. He said efforts will be made to address the issue of load shedding and NADRA will be directed to ensure speedy processing of the computerized national identity cards. He also announced provision of interest-free loans and computers and development of sports grounds in the region, besides solar panels for the mosques. “A new Pakistan is in the making,” he concluded. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also accompanied the prime minister during the visit. Key federal and provincial ministers, KP governor and chief minister were also present on the occasion.
Earlier upon arrival, the prime minister laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument. He was briefed in detail about the operations conducted, ongoing stability operations, rehabilitation of temporarily displaced persons, socio-economic development projects and fencing along Pak-Afghan border. He also visited Ghulam Khan Border terminal and saw the border fencing.
Published in Daily Times, November 27th 2018.
