A new direction: Political alliance demands merger of FATA with K-P

Rejects idea of holding ‘bogus’ referendum on issue

PESHAWAR: FATA Political Alliance has demanded the federal government merge the tribal areas with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and abolish the Frontier Crimes Regulations. These views were expressed by leaders of the alliance during a seminar held at Peshawar Press Club on Monday.

They said the committee constituted by the prime minister and K-P governor to draft reforms for Fata failed its task. However, they said if invited, members of the alliance will participate in future meetings to present their stance



“If we are ignored, we will protest,” said Zarnoor Afridi, who represents Jamaat-e-Islami. “Political agents are hatching conspiracies, forcing tribespeople to fight each other so peace can never be maintained in the region.” Zarnoor added, “Our demand is to incorporate Fata into K-P to unite the Pukhtuns.”

The leaders said FATA Political Alliance will be made more effective at the agency level, and teachers and students will be asked to struggle for the cause of merging the two areas and abolishing FCR. They added the alliance will have to be more disciplined and should be prepared to adopt extreme steps if their demands were not accepted by the federal government.

Awami National Party leader Latif Afridi said, “We should keep in mind this is not a small issue.” He added, “There are international interests involved in Fata.”

According to Latif, “Today, we are in the millions and our voice cannot be silenced under black laws. We will fight them and secure our rights,” said Latif. He stated under the 1973 Constitution, Fata was part of the country and had to be governed under laws which govern other parts of the country.

The political figures at the press club also rejected the idea of a referendum on the issue as according to them, the referendum cannot yield fair results in Pakistan. They said all decisions should only be taken by the political representatives of the people. “Since the creation of Pakistan, every referendum held has been bogus,” said Latif.

Pakistan Peoples Party FATA President Akhunzada Chattan pointed out the people of Fata were left at the mercy of tribal chiefs, maliks and the governor, all of whom have for decades exploited the tribespeople. Chattan said, “People’s representatives should be consulted on this matter.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.