Governor urges journalists to dig out news in Fata

LANDIKOTAL : Praising the positive role and sacrifices Fata journalists rendered for the state solidarity, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has said that gradual access to tribal journalists would be provided on all matters concerning Fata except issues of national security.

Saedar Mehtab was talking to a delegation of Tribal Union of Journalists(TUJ) at Governor House on Thursday he said that Political Agents across Fata would be advised to share information with local journalists on matters of regional development.

He appriciated the tribal journalists' commitment and dedication with their profession said that fourteen of the Fata journalists have lost their lives while many others sfered injuries during while covering stories in war zones.

"We cannot act in haste as peace has been restored in most parts of tribal areas at a great cost and would adopt a cautious policy of gradual openness without infringing upon issues of national security", the governor said.He added that the inquisitive group of tribal journalists who wished the desire to go around scotfree in 'de notified' localities of Fata and report issues confronted by the recently rehabilitated displaced residents.

The Governor rejcted the suggestion of appointing media focal persons in all the seven tribal agencies.He insisted that journalists should dig out their own news stories rather than relying on official versions.

The Governor categorically stated that all plans to establish government run FM radio stations had been shelved 'forever' as the Fata secretariat had no required capacity to run such radio stations. He said that it was the responsibility of Radio Pakistan to expand its operations to all parts of Fata rather than burdening the Fata Secretariat with a job to which they had no genuine concern.

Upon the request to provide security to those tribal journalists who had recently been threatened by militant groups, the Governor issued on the spot directives to Secretary Law and Order to ensure their personal security.

Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan pledged that he would provide free education to one child of all the martyred tribal journalists. He also assured special financial package for all the displaced tribal journalists and said that a new summery regarding an enhancement in the financial package for returning families had been forwarded for approval to the federal government.

The Governor also pledged Rs. 2 million for the treatment of a grand child of Haji Pazeer Gul, a tribal journalist from North Waziristan.