FATA merger: ‘FCR will be repealed through reforms’

Mamnoon assures elders panel’s proposals in line with tribal traditions

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said that the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) Act, governing the tribal areas, would be repealed through the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) reforms.

He said the Fata reforms committee had given valuable proposals under which the tribal traditions, values and culture would be protected besides these would be effective in repealing the oppressive collective responsibility regulation.



The president told the elders that the Fata reforms committee had laid down significant proposals for extending jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the high court to the tribal areas.

Besides, proposals about increase in vacancies of Levies force for peace and modifying them on the pattern of police force were an important part of the reforms committee’s task which would be finalised soon, he added.

The president said the relevant authorities and departments were also being directed by the federal government to improve the functioning of administration in tribal areas.

The reforms committee had also proposed special development fund for Fata which would be considered in the next National Finance Commission meeting.

He further told the gathering that proposal report about the merger of Fata with K-P was also presented by the committee in Parliament which would be decided soon.

The president said that to bring Fata at a par with the rest of the country, health and education facilities would be increased. In this connection, new tehsils and public facilities would be established in South Waziristan.

Similarly, new NADRA offices and power grid stations are to be built, he said, adding that the tribal areas would witness an era of progress and prosperity.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2017.