Senator Abbas Khan Afridi takes oath as Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions

Lahore:President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday administered oath to Senator Abbas Khan Afridi as Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) in a ceremony held at the Governor House here.

The oath-taking ceremony was attended among others by Governor Punjab Makhdoom Syed Ahmad Mehmood, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, federal ministers, parliamentarians, Secretary General to the President and other senior officials.

Senator Abbas Khan Afridi was given the responsibility following the Minister in charge Engineer Shaukat Ullah was appointed as Governor of Khaber Pakhtoonkhaw (KPK) by the President.

Senator Abbass Afradi, who was earlier looking after the minister of Commerce as Minister of State has assumed the charge of its new ministry. Following the oath taking ceremony, Senator Abbass told journalists that being resident of tribal region, he will make utmost efforts to resolve major problems of the frontier regions through dialogue. He said tribal people and their representatives would be taken on board on all important issues and decisions.

Senator Abbass said that the development process in Fata would be accelerated and efforts would be made to complete the ongoing projects on time. He said the present government has already introduced positive reforms in frontier crimes regulations and that all decisions would be taken in the national interest.

According to recent media reports, Senator Abbass Afradi is the third hight tax payer in the parliament of Pakistan. During his tenure as State Minister for Commerce, Abbass Afradi has performed active role the development of chamber of commerce at district level and inclusion of small business in chambers. Being Minister for Commerce he also actively pursued Pakistan’s case for the restoration of GSP Plus status for Pakistan in European Union.