LANDI KOTAL, Oct 3: Situation in Fata could be improved by providing basic human rights to tribal people and involving local elders in finding out suitable and sustainable solution to their issues, said MNA Hameedullah Jan Afridi.

During his visit to Bara and Shahkas on Wednesday, he said that he had always considered public interest a top priority and raised the issues of tribesmen on every platform.

Mr Afridi claimed that millions of rupees were spent on development of tribal areas and provision of basic amenities to tribal people because public welfare was his top priority as a public representative.

“Our mission is to provide maximum assistance to general public without any political interest,” the MNA said.

He added that some elements were trying to gain public attention by releasing political statements about Fata but they had no concern with the basic problems of tribal people.

The MNA from Bara claimed that he had completed several development projects despite hurdles.

He said that he would leave no stone unturned to improve life standard of common man in every nook and corner of tribal areas.

Mr Afridi said that Fata was blessed with natural resources and brave, patriotic and loving people.

He said that peace process should be initiated on priority basis so that social and economical activities could be revived and tribal people could play their role for national development and prosperity.

STADIUM: Iqbal Hussain Iqbal, the chairman of Fata Region of Pakistan Cricket Board, has demanded construction of sports stadiums in all agencies alongside establishment of cricket coaching academies in tribal areas.

Talking to journalists at Jamrud after chairing a meeting of all tribal cricket associations on Wednesday, Mr Iqbal said that setting up Fata Region (cricket) was a longstanding demand of cricket lovers in tribal areas that was fulfilled by the present government.

He thanked Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Eng Shukatullah for fulfilling the demand.

He said that regional status for Fata would help the talented cricket players from the region to manifest their abilities. “Before getting regional status, Fata had only one team at national level but now we will have separate teams from all the seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions for all formats of the game,” Mr Iqbal said.

Declaring Jamrud Sports Stadium new headquarters of Fata Region, he said that all current associations would be dissolved and new bodies would be elected soon.

He said that fair trails would be conducted at all levels and only talented players would be selected to represent Fata at national level.

He demanded of Pakistan Cricket Board to provide opportunities to Fata players to visit foreign countries to get maximum exposure and gain experience.

“This will help create an atmosphere of tough competition among the tribal players,” he said.