ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, said that the rebuilding and mainstreaming of FATA is important but warned that “it’s time to be aware of inimical forces trying to create uncertainty.”

The military spokesperson was talking to representatives of the affected traders from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) in the tribal region who met him late Friday.

“The brave tribes of FATA have achieved peace and stability after a lot of hardships and sacrifices. Restoration of normal life after kinetic operation is part of the ‘clear-hold-build-transfer’ strategy,” Ghafoor said in a statement.

Ghafoor told the tribal delegation that the state, along with the security forces, is committed to rehabilitate the affected population.

“It’s our home. By working together we shall gradually bring back complete normalcy,” the DG ISPR said.

He added that affected NWA traders would have a meeting with local civil, military and FATA secretariat representatives on April 22 to discuss “genuine issues and a way forward.”

“Economic rehabilitation of tribes takes priority. Mainstreaming of FATA remains key to their empowerment and prosperity,” Ghafoor said.

Later the traders from NWA on Friday called off their protest after political administration of their area assured them that their grievances would be addressed.

The affected traders had set up a protest camp outside the National Press Club in Islamabad early this week and staged a sit-in protest demanding compensation for their losses.

The President of North Waziristan Traders Association, Zaheen Khan, told Arab News that the political administration of NWA assured traders that their damages would be compensated.