Govt is all set to repeal FCR
Minister says extensive preparations required for K-P merger
SAFRON Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The government is all set to repeal the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) in upcoming sessions of parliament, but deems difficult the election of 23 lawmakers from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in the 2018 general elections.
The authorities are preparing a summary for approval by the federal cabinet of the abolition of the FCR, after which the matter will be tabled in the National Assembly.
“It has been decided that it will be repealed in next 10 days,” Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Abdul Qadir Baloch told The Express Tribune. An NA session is likely to begin on Jan 8.
Tribesmen stage rally in Islamabad seeking abolition of FCR
The FCR is a special set of laws applicable in Fata that denies the residents the rights to appeal in any court against conviction, to have legal representation and to present evidence. Though the law was amended in 2011 by then president Asif Ali Zardari, it is still considered by tribal people and rights activists as most “ruthless, murderous and inhuman in the 21st century”.
The president is the only relevant authority on the issue because Article 247 of the Constitution states that no act of parliament applies to Fata. The decision to repeal the FCR has come at a time when pressure is mounting on the government to get the Fata reforms bill approved from parliament. However, it is also facing pressure against the move from coalition partners Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).
“It took 70 years for us to reach this moment so we should not hasten for merger [of Fata with K-P],” the minister said, adding that other requirements had to be fulfilled in this regard. He said measures for bringing the region into the national mainstream were “more important for now”.
Baloch said the government was trying to woo the allies concerned (JUI-F and PkMAP) and bring flexibility in their attitude about the merger. If there was no agreement, the decision would be taken while keeping in view the wishes of the people of Fata and the country, he said.
The minister reiterated that he viewed immediate merger as “very dangerous” and it could be done five years after launching Fata reforms. Extensive preparations required for the move have yet to be made, like law enforcement through the police, and changing the system of Khasadars and Frontier Constabulary.
Govt set to abolish FCR in FATA
The minister said the mineral-rich region could generate over Rs200 billion on its own within three years and the issue of funding would also be resolved.
About the possibility of electing 23 lawmakers to the K-P Assembly in 2018, he said “given the current situation it seems impossible” unless a decision was taken urgently. He said had the reforms started in 2016, this could have been done after the merger of Fata with the province but after the delay till now “I do not see it happening as the government is left hardly with a few months”.
An implementation committee notified by the prime minister this week will pursue the recommendations finalised by a six-member Fata Reforms Committee last year. The committee held two informal meetings before its notification.
The government is all set to repeal the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) in upcoming sessions of parliament, but deems difficult the election of 23 lawmakers from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in the 2018 general elections.
The authorities are preparing a summary for approval by the federal cabinet of the abolition of the FCR, after which the matter will be tabled in the National Assembly.
“It has been decided that it will be repealed in next 10 days,” Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Abdul Qadir Baloch told The Express Tribune. An NA session is likely to begin on Jan 8.
Tribesmen stage rally in Islamabad seeking abolition of FCR
The FCR is a special set of laws applicable in Fata that denies the residents the rights to appeal in any court against conviction, to have legal representation and to present evidence. Though the law was amended in 2011 by then president Asif Ali Zardari, it is still considered by tribal people and rights activists as most “ruthless, murderous and inhuman in the 21st century”.
The president is the only relevant authority on the issue because Article 247 of the Constitution states that no act of parliament applies to Fata. The decision to repeal the FCR has come at a time when pressure is mounting on the government to get the Fata reforms bill approved from parliament. However, it is also facing pressure against the move from coalition partners Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).
“It took 70 years for us to reach this moment so we should not hasten for merger [of Fata with K-P],” the minister said, adding that other requirements had to be fulfilled in this regard. He said measures for bringing the region into the national mainstream were “more important for now”.
Baloch said the government was trying to woo the allies concerned (JUI-F and PkMAP) and bring flexibility in their attitude about the merger. If there was no agreement, the decision would be taken while keeping in view the wishes of the people of Fata and the country, he said.
The minister reiterated that he viewed immediate merger as “very dangerous” and it could be done five years after launching Fata reforms. Extensive preparations required for the move have yet to be made, like law enforcement through the police, and changing the system of Khasadars and Frontier Constabulary.
Govt set to abolish FCR in FATA
The minister said the mineral-rich region could generate over Rs200 billion on its own within three years and the issue of funding would also be resolved.
About the possibility of electing 23 lawmakers to the K-P Assembly in 2018, he said “given the current situation it seems impossible” unless a decision was taken urgently. He said had the reforms started in 2016, this could have been done after the merger of Fata with the province but after the delay till now “I do not see it happening as the government is left hardly with a few months”.
An implementation committee notified by the prime minister this week will pursue the recommendations finalised by a six-member Fata Reforms Committee last year. The committee held two informal meetings before its notification.