He stated this while addressing a big representative tribal Jirga of District Khyber at Governor House, Peshawar on Thursday.
The matter was pointed by the participants of the tribal Jirga, MNA, Iqbal Afridi, Commissioner, Peshawar Division; Deputy Commissioner, Khyber District and a large number of tribal elders were present on the occasion.
While justifying the decision of the government, the governor said that the matchless sacrifices rendered by the tribal people for the country deserve to be fully acknowledged with respect and honour and to further promote their dignity. It is because of this very fact, the Governor observed, the government has not only maintained all the privileges and incentives which used to be available to the tribes before merger of their areas with the province but has also provided the rights and incentives being availed by the people across the country.
The governor also pointed out that an amount of Rs 20 to Rs 24 billion had been earmarked in the provincial budget for development of tribal districts. Besides this, he added, an amount of Rs 100 billion will also be spent in the tribal districts under the Federal package during the current year to bring the newly merged tribal areas at par with the rest of the country. As a result of all such efforts, the governor said that almost 15000 new vacancies will be generated to offer employment opportunities to the respective people within the coming few months and to overcome the problem of un-employment.
While referring to the upcoming elections to elect members of provincial assembly in the tribal districts, the governor said, two from amongst the expected members of provincial assembly hailing from tribal districts will be included in the provincial cabinet.