Among 19 newly elected MPAs, nine are affiliated with ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), four with MMA (Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal), three with Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and one each of ANP and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and an independent respectively. Among nine PTI MPAs, seven took oath on general seats, one on women reserved seat and one minority. While among four JUI-F MPAs, three took oath on general seat and one for women reserved seat.
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Leader of Opposition, Akram Khan Durrani were also present in the house. The speaker Mushtaq Ghani termed the administering of oath to members from newly merged districts as remarkable moment as for the first time in the history of the country public representatives from tribal districts have become part of the provincial assembly.
He said merger of Fata into KP was a big task and for its successful accomplishment credit goes to Pakistan Army, other security agencies, politicians, journalists and all other stakeholders. Speaker Mushtaq Ghani also thanked Prime Minister, Imran Khan, for taking keen interest in merger of Fata into KP. He assured full cooperation to the MPAs from tribal districts in resolution of problem being faced by people of their respective areas.
Taking the floor of the house, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said it is a day of joy for whole nation and merger of Fata with KP has completed on Tuesday. Mahmood Khan said merger was a very big challenge accepted by the government and completed it with the cooperation of all the stakeholders. He said now government's focus is on development of tribal districts for which a huge amount of Rs 100 billion has been earmarked to be utilized in current year.
The chief minister also stressed upon the newly elected MPAs to fully concentrate on problems of their respective areas and take advantage of provincial assembly in highlighting the same and gets support for resolution. He said government and opposition will fully support MPAs from tribal district in uplift of the region and for resolution of problems. Leader of Opposition in KP Assembly, Akram Khan Durrani also spoke on the occasion and congratulated newly elected MPAs.
Durrani said FATA remain in a state of war from around 10 to 15 years and now deserves full attention for compensation in shape of development. He also requested government to provide more funds to MPAs from tribal districts for development in their respective constituencies. Similarly, he continued, relaxation should also be given by Public Service Commission (PSC) in appointments for tribal districts so that development work would start with required pace.