PESHAWAR, Aug 8: NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman has vowed to root foreign elements out of the North Waziristan Agency and asked the tribal elders not to remain silent spectators in the volatile situation.

Speaking at the 24th annual Parents’ Day ceremony at the Cadet College Razmak in the agency, he drew the attention of tribal elders present there to unstable situation in the area and urged them to play their role in maintaining peace there.

He said that a few outsiders had disturbed peace in the area but the elders were looking at the events as silent spectators. “Foreigners cannot continue to reside in an area without the support of local people and we know those who are harbouring the foreigners,” the governor added.

He vowed to take every step to root the foreign elements out of the agency and take action against their supporters as well.

He asked the elders to seriously think over the situation and said that the process of development would not sustain in an uncertain and unstable atmosphere.

Referring to the government efforts for developing the agency, he said that Rs700 million had been earmarked for the agency in the current year’s development programme.

Moreover, he added, the government planned to involve foreign companies in the exploration and exploitation of plentiful mineral resources the agency had.

Referring to copper deposits in the area, he said that they could generate such a huge income that could make the entire Fata self-sufficient in financial resources.

Pointing towards the presence of a large number of women at the ceremony, he said that it portrayed a change in the tribal society which was a positive step towards social development.

The governor appreciated academic achievements, discipline and training standard of the college, saying that he wished the college to compete with its sister institutions all over the country and even to surpass them.

He highlighted the importance of education, particularly for the backward areas like Fata, and said that the government gave priority to education in Fata with maximum budget allocations under the Annual Development Programme and special development packages.

He positively responded to a demand for sports grounds and staff residences for the college and asked its principal to prepare and submit a plan in this regard.

Later, the governor, who was chief guest of the ceremony, gave away prizes, trophies and medals to the outstanding students.

The Ghazali and Khushhal houses were jointly declared the best houses and Cadet Rasool Zaman the best cadet for the year 2004-05.

The Bilal House secured two distinctions for being the best in cultural activities and academic pursuit. The Khushhal House was declared over all champion and awarded the championship flag.

Cadets Hashmatullah and Mohammad Raheel — who had secured first and second positions in the SSC examination of the Board of Secondary and Intermediate Education, Bannu, respectively — were given medals.

Cadets Naveed Ahsan, Adil Shaheed, Mohammad Tariq and Syed Akmal Hussain also received medals for winning distinctions in the examinations. Cadet Khurram Munir got the best gymnast award.

The governor inspected the smartly turned out contingents of the cadets drawn from all the six houses of the college, including Ghazali, Jinnah, Abdali and Baber. The governor also took salute of the parade.

A contingent of the newly admitted cadets called the Cheeta Squad wearing commando uniform performed on the occasion. Cadets also presented PT and gymnastic shows.

The colourful ceremony, held at the parade ground of the college, was attended by a large number of parents of the cadets and tribal elders, Senator Mateen Shah, MNA Maulana Nek Zaman, IGFC Maj-Gen Tariq Masood and Political Agent Tariq Hayat Khan. —PPI