ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that the development of Tribal Areas was the foremost priority of the government and substantial resources would be allocated for achieving this objective.

Talking to a group of Tribal Union of Journalists at the Parliament House the Prime minister said that the government was fully aware of the problems being faced by the journalists of Fata, particularly after 9/11 and has taken serious notice of violence against them.

The government, he said, was committed to the cause of press freedom and assured the delegation that all possible facilities would be provided to them so they could perform their duties in a congenial atmosphere.

Mr Gilani said the process of development had already been initiated, which would go a long way in bringing about economic progress and prosperity in the areas. Economic empowerment, he said, was imperative to curb the trend of negative activities. “The government is also taking steps to provide health and education facilities to people of the Tribal Areas,” he said.

About the Frontier Crime Regulations, he said the issue would be resolved through consultations with different stakeholders.

He announced a grant of Rs2.5 million for the press clubs in Fata. He also asked the ministry concerned to examine the proposal for inclusion of Fata journalists in the residential schemes in Islamabad and Peshawar. He directed the ministry of health to provide free of cost health facilities to the injured journalists of Fata till their full recovery.

The delegation briefed the PM about the problems being faced by the journalists while discharging their professional responsibilities in the Tribal Areas.

Minister for information and broadcasting Sherry Rehman was also present on the occasion.