FATA woes: Peace, reforms in tribal areas urged

Joint committee on Fata demands more reforms.


News Desk December 20, 2013
Peace and reforms in the tribal areas urged. PHOTO: FILE



A joint body of the political parties on reforms in tribal areas stressed the need for more steps to ensure basic rights to the people and peace in the troubled region.


They were speaking at a roundtable discussion in Islamabad on Wednesday on the recommendations consensually agreed upon after several conferences and meetings.

The representatives of various political parties highlighted the urgent need for mainstreaming of tribal people, with access to judicial system, constitutional guarantees and all fundamental rights like other citizens of Pakistan.

They also demanded local bodies elections in the region, adding that a new amendment should be introduced to Article 247 of the Constitution to provide equal rights and shift legislative powers for Fata from the President to the parliament. They also unanimously supported the extension of Pemra jurisdiction, a strengthened Jirga system, abolishing the Actions in Aid of Civil Power Regulation, and separation of executive from judiciary.



The Fata committee is now undergoing a nationwide tour to meet the leadership of member political parties and hold media briefings in provincial capital cities to promote new reforms.

The committee also plans to meet the president, the prime minister and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governor to discuss their 11-point reforms agenda. The committee members have expressed their intention to continue efforts and ensure that all stakeholders are brought on board for effective enactment and implementation of the reforms.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.

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