Political alliance to observe black day on August 14 if FATA is not merged with K-P

Says miscreants want to create obstacles

PESHAWAR: Members of FATA Political Alliance have threatened to observe a black day on August 14 if the relevant authorities do not take adequate measures to ensure the tribal belt is integrated with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

While speaking to journalists at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, alliance members said miscreant elements want to create obstacles and prevent Fata from being merged into K-P

FATA Political Alliance President Haji Iqbal Afridi said tribespeople want the Frontier Crimes Regulations to be abolished as it is a colonial law.

He added funds allocated for the development of Fata have been embezzled by the political administration.

Afridi pressed the government to abolish Article 247 of the Constitution and implement reforms in Fata.



Article 247 allows the governor to extend any law passed by the national or provincial assembly to Pata with the approval of the president.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Zar Noor Afridi voiced his intentions to bring over 10 million tribespeople into the mainstream. “Until they are provided equal rights, the menace of instability will continue to plague the country,” he said. “The people of Fata have been deprived of human rights in all spheres, including education and health.”

The JI leader said thousands of homes had been destroyed during military operation in the region but little had been done to address woes of tribespeople.

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