The interim president of Awami National Party Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR: The interim president of Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel assured they would recommend an 11-point reforms recommendation about the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to the upper and lower houses of Parliament.
The Political Parties’ Joint Committee (PPJC) on FATA Reforms met on Thursday, with the representatives of all 10 member parties present. Among those present were ANP’s Bushra Gohar, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Akhunzada Chattan, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Haroon Rashid and Zarnoor Afridi, National Party’s Jan Muhammad Buledi and Mukhtar Bacha, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Rehmat Salam Khattak, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Salman Afridi, and Qaumi Watan Party’s Hashim Babar.
Speaking to the media, Haji Muhammad Adeel said the people of Fata had been intentionally deprived of their fundamental rights. He pointed out that ANP was the second largest party in the senate and if PPCJ pushes the Frontier Crimes Regulation forward for amendment, it would go through.
Former PPP MNA Akhunzada Chattan said PPCJ regularly engages in discussions with stakeholders from Fata to build consensus, increase awareness and promote dialogue on existing and future reforms. All political parties want reforms in Fata, said Chattan, adding that it could easily be achieved through a parliamentary process.
Chattan said a committee had similarly been formed in 2010 over Fata reforms, which included extending the political order and giving the rights of appeal, advocacy and evidence. He said the reforms committee was contacted by various political and religious parties including JI’s Syed Munawar Hassan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Farooq Sattar, ANP’s Asfandyar Wali Khan, and PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, all of whom extended their support. However, Chattan added that they are not satisfied with the FATA Tribunal and demand more reforms.
Recommendations by Political Parties’ Joint Committee
Peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) should be guaranteed.
Article 247 of the Constitution should be amended to guarantee fundamental rights for all tribal citizens and shift legislative power from the President of Pakistan to Parliament.
Local bodies’ elections should be held in Fata.
A comprehensive package should be developed for Fata and infrastructure development initiated with special focus on health, education and employment.
The future status of Fata should be decided by its people.
The jurisdiction of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority should be extended to Fata and the media should be provided greater access to provide tribal citizens with opportunities for interaction and participation.
The jirga system should be made more democratic and independent.
The Actions in Aid of Civil Power Regulation should be abolished.
Executive and judicial powers should be separated in Fata.
Fata citizens should not be deprived of property and the inheritance law should be extended there as well.
Civil armed forces, including khasadar and levies, should be strengthened and professionalised.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2014.
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