PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan on Tuesday said that safe and dignified return and repatriation of IDs of North Waziristan Agency was the top priority of the government.

Talking to a representative delegation of tribal elders of North Waziristan Agency here, the governor said that repatriation of displaced persons and development of the tribal region was not possible without restoration of peace and harmony there. The delegation was led by Abdul Satar Khan Ippi and Malick Qadar Dawar Darpa Khel, according to a handout.

Mr Mehtab announced to form a high level committee headed by additional chief secretary Fata for resolving the problems of displaced persons of NWA on war footing. The committee will include secretary law and order Fata, commissioner Bannu, political agent NWA and five representative tribal elders from the agency.

The delegation apprised the governor of the problems the IDPs were facing, at which the governor assured of taking necessary action to address their grievances. He said that stability in Fata was a pre-requisite for progress and development of the country. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was committed to restoration of peace and development of Fata.

The governor while appreciating the spirit of patriotism of the tribal elders urged them to play effective role for unity, peace and stability of the country in general and Fata in particular to defeat terrorism and extremism.

He said that austerity measures would be adopted to ensure provision of modern facilities to Fata people, including health, education and employment.

The governor said that the nation stood by the tribesmen in their rehabilitation and rebuilding of the destroyed infrastructure.

Fata reforms commission chairman Aijaz Ahmad Qureshi, additional chief secretary Fata Arbab Mohammad Arif, commissioner Bannu and tribal elders were in attendance.

Published in Dawn, October 15th , 2014