BAHAWALPUR - PPP Bahawalpur Information Secretary Muhammad Saleem Bhatti said that by extending the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002 to tribal areas and reforming Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR), the government had fulfilled the long-overdue demand of the people of Fata and granted them fundamental right to express their free political will through electoral process. We are thankful to Allah Almighty who crowned President Asif Ali Zardari and his party to solve this century-old matter, he said while talking to media persons at Bahawalpur Press Club. He said that the expansion of PPO 2002 and reforms in over a century old draconian law FCR (introduced by the British rulers) were significant developments that would have positive impact upon social and political set-up in the region. Saleem Bhatti said that the expansion of PPO to Fata was a great achievement of the PPP government as it would act as a catalyst for economic progress for the area. The government has broken the 100 years old norms and traditions for the development and prosperity of Fata and the dream of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to bring Fata into mainstream has been fulfilled, he added. He said that besides other factors, denial of political rights to the people of Fata was one reason which provided breeding ground for extremism and terrorism. He also said that Pakistan equally belonged to the people of Fata and PPP government wanted to give equal rights to people of tribal areas as well. Addressing the media personnel, Saleem Bhatti also said that the government was taking all possible measures to resolve problems and issues of the media on priority basis. He said that journalists should highlight problems of the city and residents impartially so that effective measures could be taken in this regard. He stressed upon the media men to play an active role to strengthen democratic government and promote a soft image of the country in the world. He said if the media was strong and Independent in its original spirit then the other institutions would also perform well. The PPP leader said that PM Gilani had given Rs5 million for the Bahawalpur which should be utilized properly. Moreover, Mr Saleem pledged that the Punjab government would provide land for journalists and writers colony in Bahawalpur. On the other, the Prime Minister directed Commissioner Bahawalpur to take necessary action in this regard.