Thursday, June 11, 2009
President seeks special package for people of Kurram Agency
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday directed the government to launch a special relief programme for the people of Kurram Agency to mitigate their suffering, brought about by continuing sectarian strife and militancy.
"A plan for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons in Kurram Agency will be prepared and the Benazir Income Support Programme will be launched in the agency on a priority basis," Zardari said.
Zardari's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said these measures were announced during the president's meeting with a 15-member delegation consisting of elected representatives from Kurram Agency.
The meeting was attended by SAFRON Minister Najmuddin Khan, Secretary Riffat Pasha, Interior Secretary Kamal Shah, the president's Secretary General Salman Farooqui, the FATA additional chief secretary and the political agent of the agency.
The delegation told the president that the people of Kurram wanted to live in peace and harmony, but there were some external elements that provoked sectarian strife.
They said closure of the main road to Peshawar had created many difficulties for the people and there was an urgent need to restore the road link, adding that until the road link was made safe for travelling, the government should make arrangements for air travel between Parachinar and Peshawar. They also demanded the government destroy Taliban hideouts.
SOURCE:
ISLAMABAD: Fearing that a Swat-like situation might emerge in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the near future, President Asif Ali Zardari advised the government on Wednesday to launch a special relief package for the people of Kurram Agency to mitigate their sufferings caused by sectarian strife and militancy.
The package will include immediate start of a helicopter service between Parachinar and Peshawar for people's movement till the road link is restored.
Pakistan International Airlines was asked to lease a small aircraft that could land in Parachinar. The national flag carrier was also asked to expand the runway.
A plan for rehabilitation of displaced people of the region will be prepared soon and the Benazir Income Support Programme will be extended to the area on a priority basis.
President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar told journalists that the measures were announced during Mr Zardari's meeting with a delegation from Kurram Agency. Members of the delegation said the people of the region wanted to live in peace but some external elements provoked sectarian strife.
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