Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday reiterated his resolve to better the lives o citizens living in the tribal districts of the country and announced a multi-billion rupee allocation for development of the region.

“This has not been spent in the last 70 years,” the premier said addressing a gathering in South Waziristan, adding that, education and poverty are the major problems of the tribal areas. “Tribal people move to the cities for better employment opportunities.”

Imran said that he knows the problems tribal areas face and that the policies of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will address those issues.

He stressed that he was aware of the problems that might emerge from the merger and asked people to keep their faith in him.

“I believe a country can not progress until all the deprived areas are uplifted,” the premier said.

“When a state uplifts all the weak segments, it cannot be defeated.”
Poor became poorer while the rich became richer in the last 70 years in Pakistan and we have to change it. The change will come rapidly.

“The tribal areas have suffered from drone attacks and terrorism, our army has rendered many sacrifices. I know people who migrated to Karachi and Islamabad from their indigenous areas,” the premier said.

The prime minister added that his government will be distributing Sehat Insaf card to the families residing in the tribal areas under which Rs7.2 million can be spent for medical treatment. “I know how difficult is to seek treatment when you have no finances.”

Surgeons and doctors will be appointed in hospitals and a special employment quota for the youth of tribal areas will also be introduced.

“We will build roads, two degree colleges and a state of the art sports complex.”

In addition to this, grid stations will be built to overcome the power outage. Electricity will also be generated through solar power, the premier said.

I have not come here for votes, said PM Imran, adding that, small dams will be built to overcome the water shortage.

PM appealed to the people of the tribal areas to remain patient as the country was going through a tough economic situation, and “facing a shortage of funds.”

“This country is rich, we will uplift it. We are collecting funds. You will see a change in Ramazan as soon as the funds start pouring in.”

PM’s address in WANA

Addressing a gathering in Wana, PM Imran said that the two political parties Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) looted the country’s wealth and sent it abroad through money laundering.

“We want peace and not violence in the tribal areas.”

Talking about the creation of districts, he said that I will study this in great detail and decide what’s in your best interest.

The tribal areas are deprived of basic necessities, reiterated PM Imran, adding that, “I am determined to convert our tribal areas into developed and successful regions.”