| GHALANAI: A tribal leader demanded Azad Jammu and Kashmir-like status to seven tribal regions along the Afghanistan border, while talking to reporters on Monday. “The demand for Kashmir-like autonomy does not mean separation from Pakistan,” said Malik Noor Ahmed Haleemzai, president of Tehrik-e-Ittehad-e-Qabail’s Mohmand Agency chapter. “Tribal traditions and customs are different from the rest of the country and they can be protected with a separate status,” he said. “The NWFP’s resources are limited, and whatever funds come from the federal government are embezzled before being spent on the tribl areas’ development,” he added. Haleemzai said the tribal areas should have their own prime minister, president and ministers, who should be tribesmen. He said the demand for autonomy was his movement’s only agenda. |