PESHAWAR, July 31: The Frontier Corps is handing over its British-era fort in Luddah in South Waziristan to the political administration for its conversion into a hospital.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, FC Inspector-General Maj-Gen Mohammad Alam Khattak said there was a longstanding demand of the Mehsud tribe for a hospital in the area.

He said the NWFP governor, in consultation with the tribe, decided to hand over the fort to the civil administration and convert it into a 20-bed hospital.

Fata’s additional chief secretary Habibullah Khan was present on the occasion.

Mr Khattak said the decision was a goodwill gesture aimed at providing medical service to the people.

He said the Frontier Corps would get another place for its forces in the area.

“Negotiations are under way with the local people.”

He said the decision was taken because of the positive experience of a medical camp set up recently by the paramilitary force and local people’s demand for a permanent medical facility.

Built in 1932 by the British forces, the fort is located in the Mehsud territory. It was abandoned in 1953 but was reoccupied by the security forces in 1973.

Denying any threat to the fort from militants, he said the move was part of a possible peace agreement with militant commander Baitullah Mehsud.

“It’s an innocent, noble gesture,” he said.

Mr Khattak said: “The situation has changed and the security environment has improved. There is stability in the area.”

Besides, he said, the fort was now surrounded by newer structures.

“We will get a better location for a new fort,” he said.

In January this year, militants had blown up the Sara Rogha Fort and a few days later, they attacked the Luddah Fort and, according to the FC chief it withstood 18 severe attacks because of what he called the heroic resistance put up by his men.

“Fighting is over. Now it’s time to give negotiations a chance,” he said.

“The fort repulsed 18 major attacks. It defended itself and won. There is no point in winning a 19th fight. There is no point to fight over a piece of land which has little operational value.”

He said the decision would help improve the writ of the state in the tribal region.

When asked if the decision would not set a precedent prompting similar demands in other tribal areas, Mr Khattak said the government would analyse such requests and take decisions accordingly.

Additional chief secretary Habibullah Khan said the government was open to suggestions and it would not covert all security installations into public hospitals.

“It no longer has the strategic value it had 70 years ago.”

He said that with restoration of peace in the area the administration had returned to serve the people.

He said that a lady doctor and three male doctors had been dispatched to start work at what would be a tehsil headquarters hospital.

He said that medical facilities would be upgraded gradually.