FATA brought under the jurisdiction of SC, says PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi addressing in the National Assembly of Pakistan, here Wednesday. — PID photo

ISLAMABAD: While expressing his desire to implement Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) reforms in tenure of the incumbent government, Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday stated that FATA had been brought under jurisdiction of Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC).

He was addressing session of National Assembly in Islamabad Wednesday.

Praising efforts of law enforcement agencies, PM stated that military personnel had tendered unrivalled sacrifices to restore peace in the troubled border region. Abbasi stated that he had visited FATA on Monday to find out only that peace situation had improved drastically.

"LG polls in FATA will be conducted before October-2018 whereas all parliamentary leaders will be taken into confidence in this regard. Parliament will play its role as per desires of masses of FATA", vowed Abbasi.

PM stated that government wanted FATA to progress like Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar

Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Director General ISI Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, National Security Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Nasser Khan Janjua and senior civil and military officials.

The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission briefed the meeting on the water policy approved by the Council of Common Interests on 24th April 2018, along with a water charter, which was signed by the Prime Minister and the four Chief Ministers.

The Committee observed that this was a very significant achievement and if properly implemented could prove instrumental in averting the water crisis that was seriously threatening Pakistan. The Committee also directed the Water Resources Division to forcefully pursue the violations of the Indus Water Treaty by India with the World Bank.

The Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs briefed the Committee on the economic performance of Pakistan over the last five years and the 'growth strategy' underlying the budget for FY 2018-19.

The Committee was of the view that while the sustained five years' growth was a matter of much satisfaction, potentially destabilizing factors needed to be addressed simultaneously. The Committee also reviewed the status of FATF compliance and appreciated the substantial progress made by Pakistan in this regard.

The Secretary Interior gave a presentation to the Committee on the several initiatives towards a more facilitative visa regime being formulated by the Ministry, especially with respect to tourists, students and people traveling to Pakistan for medical care.

The Committee appreciated the steps taken so far and directed the Ministry of Interior to finalize and introduce the new policy at the earliest in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Committee reviewed the proposed administrative reforms package for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and directed that while finalizing the recommendations it shall be ensured that the new arrangements are in complete harmony with the aspirations of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Committee also reviewed the prevailing situation in the Indian Ocean Region and directed to keep a robust security posture for the maintenance of security and safeguarding national interests of Pakistan. - APP