Taking a stand: Siraj urges govt to merge tribal belt with K-P

JI chief also calls for abolishing FCR as it has created hurdles

SHABQADAR/ KHAR: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said the government should abolish the FCR in Fata and the tribal belt should be merged into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

He expressed these views while addressing a public gathering at Bajaur Sports Complex on Saturday. Siraj demanded equal accountability for both the opposition and government leadership over the Panama leaks. He said those who were involved in corruption should be held accountable. He added JI was struggling for a corruption free Pakistan and tribespeople should join hands with the party.

Siraj added FCR was a colonial law and had created hurdles in the development of Fata. As a result, the law should be abolished.

The JI chief called for imposing Sharia law in the region as a majority of Fata’s people were in favour of this demand.

He also demanded merging Fata into Pata and the announcement of a special Rs500 billion package for the rehabilitation of displaced families. He asked the government for a grant of Rs200 billion for Bajaur Agency. The public gathering was also addressed by JI provncial chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Provincial Minister Muzaffar Said and others.

On the occasion, speakers urged the government to construct a university in Fata. In addition, they asked the government to set up medical colleges, open passport offices in Bajaur Agency and reestablish a cellular phone network in the region.

Jirga members vow to support security forces

Jirga members from Bajaur Agency announced their support for security forces operating in the area. The decision was taken at a jirga held at Lar Khalozo area of Bajaur Agency on Saturday. The meeting was addressed by tribal elders and Pakistan Army North Sector Commander Brigadier Ziaul Islam.

On the occasion, Islam said tribespeople had rendered tremendous sacrifices to maintain peace in the region. He added it was their responsibility to keep vigilance and thwart any militant activity. He maintained that people should cooperate with security forces and maintain peace by eliminating terrorism.

He advised the jirga members to inform the political agent of any suspicious activity and immediate action should be taken against the militants. Meanwhile, the jirga members also pledged their full support and cooperation to the political administration.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2016.