PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to start his maiden visit of newly-merged tribal districts from North Waziristan on Monday (today).

Officials said that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa would also accompany the prime minister, apart from federal and provincial ministers. They said that elders from South Waziristan tribal district had been invited to attend a jirga to be addressed by the prime minister in Miramshah.

The provincial government, however, did not announce schedule of the prime minister’s visit.

An official confirmed the PM’s visit and address to joint jirga of the elders of Ahmadzai Wazir, Dawar and Mehsud tribes in Miramshah.

On the other hand, the administration in South Waziristan convened a jirga of elders and took them into confidence about the premier’s visit. Former senator Saleh Shah led the jirga.

Seven districts of the erstwhile Fata were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the wake of the 25th constitutional amendment. This will be the first visit of head of the government to the region after its merger with the province.

Officials said the prime minister was expected to announce big package for the newly-merged districts. They said Imran Khan would also announce establishment of a major hospital and sports complex in Miramshah.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2018