Acknowledging that the social fabric of North Waziristan was quite different from the rest of Pakistan, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Saturday assured the people of the erstwhile federally administered tribal area (FATA) that he would talk to the law minister that the laws enacted in future should be in harmony with the local customs and norms, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to tribal elders of the area at Miranshah, Sheikh Rashid paid rich tributes to them for defeating the enemies of Pakistan. “Tribesmen of the erstwhile tribal agency fought shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan Army and laid down their lives to defeat enemies of the motherland by restoring peace in the area,” he said, and added, “The whole nation is proud of you since you have fought for the survival of Pakistan.”

The minister said he would talk to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government about building a medical university in North Waziristan.

Praising the Jirga system, he said he was in its favour since it offered an alternate justice system. “I will also talk to the prime minister for holding a Jirga in the area,” he told the tribesmen.

Sheikh Rasheed said that the passport office had been inaugurated in North Waziristan. “Locals will be given jobs at passport and NADRA offices,” he assured.

The interior minister informed that soon two mobile vans would be provided to the NADRA office for the registration of locals as well as foreigners living in the area. “Similarly, I am making arrangements for the immediate issuance of national identity cards (NICs),” Rashid said, and added the process of immigration would be made easier on the Pak-Afghan border so that people could travel between the two countries without any inconvenience.

He informed that while internet services had already been provided to the people of South Waziristan, the facility would be introduced in North Waziristan in the current year. “Apart from that, more funds will be released for the development of the erstwhile FATA,” the minister assured.

Earlier, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was given a warm reception on his arrival at Miramshah.

Tribal elders thanked the federal government for opening a passport office in North Waziristan.

They also paid rich tributes to the armed forces for not only restoring peace in the restive region but also contributing to its progress and development.

They informed the minister about the issues confronting them.

Reporter Awais Kiyani