Recommendations for FATA reform awaiting PM’s nod: Sartaj Aziz

After the PM's approval of the recommendations, these will be presented in parliament, says the adviser to the premier


Qaiser Butt July 05, 2016
Sartaj Aziz. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that his recommendations for restructuring the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) would be presented before parliament after its approval by Premier Nawaz Sharif.

“The committee has already completed its task and its recommendations would be presented to the prime minister for approval,” Aziz told The Express Tribune.

However, he was not specific as to when the recommendations for constitutional reforms in Fata would be brought before the premier.

“I can’t tell you whether the package of recommendations would be shown to the prime minister before or after August 14,” Aziz said when asked if the said date was chosen for the approval of the recommendations.

FATA Reforms Committee to submit final report soon, says Aziz

A five-member committee, led by Sartaj Aziz, was formed by PM Nawaz on November 8, 2015 to determine whether Fata should be merged into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (Pata ) or be restructured as a separate province of the country.

Aziz, who is also heading a Constitutional Reforms Committee for Fata, refused to comment on media reports that enforcement of Nizam-e-Adal Act as a replacement of the Frontier Crime Regulation (FCR) was one of his key recommendations.

Meanwhile, the committee is keeping the recommendations strictly confidential and even the parliamentarians from Fata have no knowledge about its contents.

“The secrecy about the recommendations is being maintained by the committee to avoid unnecessary controversies,” said a senior official of the body.

According to the official, another report prepared by a Fata Reforms Commission (FRC) in 2014 was shared with the media by the commission before it was presented to the federal government.

Jirgas will be convened to decide FATA’s status: Aziz

Responding to concerns of Fata parliamentarians about some suggestions being leaked to the media, the adviser said the recommendations would be presented before Fata parliamentarians and they will be briefed about them.

Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and renowned tribal politician Ajmal Khan Wazir accused the government of ignoring the tribal people during the consultations.

According to them, the committee held discussion only with its handpicked tribal elders commonly known as ‘Maliks’ during his visit to the seven tribal districts, contrary to the aspirations of tribal people.

COMMENTS (2)

PakPower | 7 years ago | Reply @Shuaib: KP government is cash-strapped because it is not getting its due share from the NFC Award and Hydroelectric credit. The federal government is deliberately delaying the full release of these funds because of PTI's strong stance as an opposition party. Meanwhile what funds they have they are pouring into public welfare - healthcare, LEAs, tourism, and technology. So, I don't think how IK's narcissistic policies come into play here, unless you are PMLN supporter.
Shuaib | 7 years ago | Reply I think we should leave FATA as is and have the Federal Government pour money into it. The Provincial Government of KPK is cash starved because of IK's narcissistic policies. A merger will result in more marginalisation.
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