PAIMAN Alumni Trust held, “Youth Convention on FATA Merger and its prospects of social cohesion in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa” on 9th January 2019 in Peshawar. Shafqat Mehmood, Chairperson of PAIMAN in his welcome address highlighted that Youth Convention was the part of series whose aim was not only to celebrate FATA Merger but also to provide a platform to the youth from that region to speak about their situation, their contribution to building stable communities and their vision and mission for the future of their area.
PAIMAN’s Youth TOALAN members from FATA in their speeches warmly welcomed the merger and highlighted the need for including youth in the process. A youth political Leader Haseeb Salarzai emphasized that Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Government should ensure that the funds allocated for development of tribal districts are not spent anywhere else. He also recommended that development funds be provided to the different tiers of local government once it is established to ensure that development work is carried out according to needs of locals. Shabbir Ahmed, student of FATA University elaborated his request for establishing FATA University Campuses in all the tribal districts to provide easy access to education to youth from the area and also to establish a separate girl’s Campus in the existing FATA University at Darra Adam khel. Samina Afridi, Assistant Professor Peshawar University spoke about situation of women in erstwhile FATA and asked for 10% quota in the government workforce for women as well relaxation in merit, qualification and experience, she asked government to take affirmative actions in mainstreaming women in socio-political and economic policies and programs
Mossarat Qadeem, Executive Director PAIMAN spoke about PAIMAN’s innovative initiatives in FATA and in empowering communities to address issues of violent extremism and building social cohesion in the area.
The event was attended by Muhammad Atif Khan, Senior Minister and Minster for youth and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Ajmal Wazir, Advisor to Chief Minister on FATA Merger, Mr. Akhtar Ali Shah former Home Secretary Khyber Pukhtunkhwa , MPAs, Members of Civil Society, Academia and PAIMAN’s Youth and Mother TOLANA members from across Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.
Mr. Ajmal Wazir highly appreciated PAIMAN’s effort in empowering youth to speak so eloquently about their issues and demands at the forum, he also promise to take all the recommendations made to the relevant authority so that FATA merger process become more effective and inclusive.
The chief guest Muhammad Atif Khan, Senior Minister and Minster for youth and Cultural Affairs appreciated the efforts of PAIMAN Trust and said, these forums are very important for building bridges of understanding between youth and Government.
Mossarat Qadeem, Executive Director PAIMAN Alumni Trust presented “Peshawar Memorandum” to the Chief Guest which was signed by all participants of the convention. Peshawar Memorandum has doable recommendations regarding FATA merger for a stable Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.
