On Khyber visit: Rabbani wants Fata reforms soon

Senate Chairman says the upper house will pass reforms bills once referred by NA

BARA/JAMRUD: Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has said that the reforms package for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) should soon be implemented in its true spirit in line with the aspirations of the tribal people.

Rabbani was talking to journalists in Shah Kas area of Khyber Agency on Wednesday. He visited the place to offer condolences to Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi and MNA Shah Jee Gul Afridi over the death of their sister. Rabbani was accompanied by MNA Sajjad Hussain Turi of Parachinar.



“The people of Fata, security forces and civil administration have scarified their lives for peace in their agencies, and the residents have fought for the independence and sovereignty of the country, said the Senate chairman.

“However, the Fata people are still suffering… so we ask the government that the Fata reforms package should be implemented soon in accordance with the aspirations of the people,” he said.

Rabbani expressed the hope that through these reforms, the people of Fata would be entitled to basic human rights as enshrined in the Constitution. “If Fata’s elected representatives have reservations over the Rewaj Act then the ruling party should address their concerns,” he added.



The Senate chairman said that the reforms package was formed after consultation with all stockholders and the Senate would pass the reforms bills once referred for deliberations by the National Assembly.

Answering a question, he said the federal government’s doubts on Fata reforms were beyond understanding. He rejected the assumption of a constitutional crisis on Fata reforms.

“Fata reforms are the voice of the voiceless and they should be implemented as soon as possible,” he insisted.