PESHAWAR: The people across the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) of Pakistan and various political parties have hailed the appointment of Engineer Shaukatullah as the new governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

The jubilant tribesmen distributed sweets and took out processions to welcome the federal government’s decision to appoint Shaukatullah, who belongs to the Nawagai area of Bajaur Agency, as the governor. Shaukatullah is the second provincial governor hailing from Fata after Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Mohammed Jan Aurakzai.

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao welcomed the appointment of Mr Shaukatullah as governor, hoping that he would work to remove the sense of deprivation among the tribal people. In a press statement, he said being a tribesman the new governor would make efforts to help bring normalcy to Fata.

The tribesmen of Bajaur Agency resorted to heavy firing in the air to hail the appointment of Shaukatullah as the new governor.

Various areas of Bajaur reverberated with intense gunfire after the announcement about the new governor was made. The celebratory firing continued throughout the night and on Monday as Shaukatullah took oath of his office.

The people of Nawagai and Inayat Kallay areas distributed sweets and cooked rice for distribution to celebrate the installation of the new governor.

The Mohmand tribesmen expressed the hope that the new governor would help bring change in the outdated tribal system and would restore peace in the tribal areas.

Malik Nisar Ahmad Haleemzai, a prominent elder, said having political  background and a reputed tribal Khan, Shaukatullah would bring  positive changes in the existing system.

Malik Mohammad Ali Haleemzai, another prominent elder, believed that  the appointment of Shaukatullah was a welcome gesture and a concrete  step for the resolution of problems facing the tribal people.

ANP Mohmand president Nisar Momand also welcomed the appointment of new governor and hoped that he would take concrete steps for development of tribal areas.