Zardari offers 'no-limit package' for establishing stability in NWFP, FATA

Peshawar, Feb.8 (ANI): In a bid to bring stability and normalcy in the troubled North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has offered a limitless package for the region.

"President Zardari has offered a no-limits package for the NWFP and FATA to fight militancy and reduce poverty," NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti said.

"The package will comprise internal funding and support from 'Friends of Pakistan'," Hoti said.

Addressing a tribal jirga comprising of all seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions here on Saturday, Zardari also announced a special compensation package of 280 million rupees for the families of those killed or injured during the military operation against the militants.

Zardari vowed to work for the development of the tribal region so that people of the area get employment and do not turn to extremism for their livelihood.

He also announced doubling the annual development programme for FATA from Rs 8 billion to Rs 16 billion during the next two years, the Daily Times reports.

Reiterating Pakistan's demand to halt the drone attacks in the tribal region along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Zardari said the missile hits are proving counter-productive in the 'war on terror',and Pakistan has the capability to deal with the Taliban and other militant outfits of the region .

"We will advance our arguments with the world community, the UNO, with logic and convince them that drone attacks are counterproductive and soon these attacks will stop," he added. (ANI)