Youth Jirga praises army for bringing back peace in FATA

PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa held a meeting with Youth Jirga in Rawalpindi, in which the latter acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s efforts for bringing back peace, stability and socio economic development in FATA.

Addressing the gathering, the army chief said that the mainstreaming of FATA shall facilitate bringing enduring peace, stability and socio-economic development to the long neglected and terrorism rid tribal area.

Gen Bajwa said “we have achieved peace at a very high cost of blood and national exchequer and we shall never let it lose”.

“You, the youth, is future of Pakistan. Please come forward and play your positive role. Be aware of inimical forces trying to create / exploit faultlines. Stay united and steadfast. We have to rise, IA we shall”, COAS. pic.twitter.com/5t67MlqQWa

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) May 28, 2018

He emphasized the youth to be aware of inimical forces which want to exploit fault lines and try to reverse our gains.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa also shared his engagement with Afghan leadership for enhanced cooperation and security measures along Pak-Afghan border.

According to the constitution amendment, FATA will be granted sixteen general seats, four seats for women and one seat for non-Muslims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The elections shall be held within one year after the general elections.

The amendment reduces the number of seats in the National Assembly from 342 to 336. The members of the National Assembly from FATA to be elected in 2018 election shall continue till dissolution of the Lower House.

Furthermore, the number of seats of Senate has been reduced to 96 from 104. The existing members of the Senate from FATA shall continue till expiry of their respective terms of office.