On the right track : Governor underlines need to provide justice for tribesmen

FATA leaders reject appointment of judicial additional political agents.

PESHAWAR:

Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan said a series of steps are being taken to ensure justice for the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and usher in stability in the tribal belt. He was speaking at the inauguration of a FATA Tribunal  Office at the Judicial Complex in Hayatabad on Wednesday.

“Establishing the office will be a step towards cementing links between the state and tribespeople,” Mehtab said.

The governor also unveiled the FATA Tribunal website. Beside others, FATA Tribunal Chairman Sang Marjan Khan, Fata Additional Chief Secretary Aslam Kamboh, Fata Secretary Law Shakil Qadar Khan and office-bearers of the Peshawar High Court attended the ceremony.

The governor said the relevant authorities were planning on posting additional judicial political agents at the agency level to ensure justice for tribespeople. As a result, locals will be given all the opportunities to approach these officers.

“People suffered a great deal due to the wrong steps and decisions of rulers in the past,” the governor remarked. “Now is the time to make the right decisions.”

Mehtab clarified that nobody would be allowed to misuse the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and harass tribespeople. “The proper implementation of FCR will ensure peace and stability,” he said. “Therefore, an effective strategy should be adopted against terrorists, criminals and other anti-social elements.” The governor conceded that authorities were well aware of the sense of deprivation among tribespeople.

“In this connection, steps are under consideration for a suitable remedy,” Mehtab said. The governor said the repatriation of people displaced by military operations is a major challenge faced by the government.

“The repatriation process will be completed once we are able to regain the confidence of tribespeople,” he added. Mehtab added work on reforming the FCR is in progress and will be done according to the wishes of tribespeople who want a proper mechanism for justice dispensation. He urged officials, including those from the judiciary, to fulfil their responsibilities in this regard.



The governor said terrorism and violence have negatively impacted the country and its people. He added the whole nation, along with the political and military leadership, is now united against militancy. Mehtab hoped violence could be eliminated at the earliest so that people could achieve the goals of progress and prosperity.

‘A political decision’

PML-N MNA from Bajaur Agency, Shahabuddin, rejected the announcement regarding additional judicial political agents. He said the appointment of such officials will reduce the burden of cases but is not the solution to the challenges at hand. Shahabuddin said Fata should either be turned into a separate province or merged with K-P.

Meanwhile, FATA Lawyers Forum President Ijaz Mohmand told The Express Tribune he and other members of the legal fraternity were dissatisfied with the FATA Reforms Commission reports. He likened Mehtab’s announcement of appointing additional political agents to politicking. He said lawyers want to see the superior judiciary’s purview extended to Fata and said the appointments will just provide employment opportunities to political activists.

Tribal elder Malik Maujood Khan Safi said people want their fundamental rights. He said a system is already present through which an assistant political agent doubles as an administrator and judge.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2015.