PM announces restoration of education quota for merged districts

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced the restoration of education quotas in medical colleges and engineering universities for the students of merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He made the announcement while hosting tribal elders from the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Prime Minister House.

The delegation, led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, participated in a “jirga” to discuss peace, development, and administrative challenges facing the region.

The prime minister announced the restoration of educational quotas for students from the merged districts, which was welcomed by the tribal elders and expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support.

Sharif said he was pleased to host representatives from a region with rich traditions and a proud history.

“The tribal people have made immense sacrifices for the peace and security of Pakistan,” he remarked, reaffirming that law and order in the merged areas remains a top government priority.

He also paid tribute to the armed forces, police, and other law enforcement personnel for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and urged unity among all communities to help make Pakistan a haven of peace.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to the socio-economic uplift of the region, the prime minister said that the federal government was investing heavily in education, healthcare, skills training, and employment opportunities for the youth of the merged districts.

Substantial funds, he added, had been allocated in the current development budget to improve infrastructure, including FATA University and police facilities.

He also directed the expansion of the federal committee working on the issues of merged districts —headed by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam — to include representation from tribal elders to ensure inclusive decision-making.

The delegation appreciated the restoration of educational quotas, their inclusion in the federal committee, and other development initiatives. They also commended the armed forces for their bold and strategic response to India.

The prime minister assured the elders that such consultative sessions would be held regularly to ensure that the voices of the tribal people are heard and addressed effectively.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Owais Ahmad Leghari, Ahad Khan Cheema, Engr Amir Muqam, and other key government officials, including KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and advisors Parvez Khattak and Dr Tauqir Shah, also attended the meeting.