SIALKOT, Aug 12 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Friday that by extending the Political Parties Order 2002 to tribal areas and reforming Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR) the government has fulfilled the long-standing demand of the people of the area and granted them fundamental right to express their free political will through electoral process.Speaking as chief guest at an oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected office-bearers of Sialkot Press Club here, the minister said that expansion of Political Parties Order (PPO) to Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was a great achievement of the Pakistan People’s Party government.

The Minister said with the expansion of PPO 2002 and reforms in over a century old FCR, which was a black law introduced by the British rulers, would pave the way for the progress and prosperity in the region as the people would be able to play more active role in the administrative work.
She said that present democratic government has broken the 100 years old norm and traditions for the development and prosperity of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) as Pakistan equally belongs to the people of FATA and people’s government wants to give equal rights to the people of tribal areas.
The Information Minister said that amendments in the FCR and the extension of PPO 2002 to FATA are significant developments, which will have positive impact upon social and political set-up in the region.
The Minister said besides other factors, denial of political rights to the people of FATA was one reason which provided breeding ground for extremism and terrorism.
She said this was a long overdue obligation on the part of political parties to bring the people of FATA in the mainstream of politics.
She said that extension of PPO 2002 will also play the role of a catalyst of economic progress of the area as well. The dream of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to bring FATA in the mainstream of politics has been fulfilled by his party, she added.
Dr Firdous said the government was taking all possible measures to resolve problems and issues of the media on priority.
She said journalists of Sialkot should highlight problems of the city and residents impartially so that effective measures could be taken in this regard.
The minister stressed upon the media men to play an active role to strengthen democratic government and promote a soft image of the country in the world.
She said if the media was strong then the other institutions would also perform well.
The minister added that the journalists of Sialkot should be a role model for others and should set a new trend of journalism.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan announced Rs 2 million for the Sialkot Press Club and pledged to provide computers for media persons to help them perform their professional duties.
Newly-elected President of Sialkot Press Club Humayoun Iqbal demanded a journalist housing society in the city. He also demanded the government advertisements for newspapers published in Sialkot.