ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Thursday refuted a news item appeared in a section of media regarding directions of the prime minister for delaying Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) reforms.
In a statement, the minister denied categorically in terms to contact the prime minister, adding no instructions whatsoever were received by him to delay the FATA reforms process.
The SAFRON minister said on May 16, 2017 when the FATA Rewaj Act was brought under discussion, most of the standing committee members demanded further time to consider the act. He said this demand was discussed by FATA Reforms Committee members and it was agreed to positively consider it.
The minister said for that a meeting with the FATA elected members in the office of the minister SAFRON was held on May 17, and a threadbare discussion took place on the act.
Qadir Baloch said the meeting ended on a positive note and the need of more time for further consideration was agreed upon.
