MPAs-elect from NMTDs start registering with K-P Assembly

PESHAWAR: The registration process for the newly-elected members of the provincial assembly from the erstwhile federally administered tribal areas (Fata) has started. The oath-taking ceremony for the new lawmakers is expected to be held after Eidul Azha.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly secretariat has notified all parties to submit the names for their reserved seats — for the four women and the solitary minorities seat.

Three names for the reserved seats have thus far been presented to the election commission. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has proposed the name of Anita Mahsud for the first of its two reserved seats for women in the tribal districts. These include Islamabad-based Anita Mahsud. The party, which won five seats and saw as many as three independents pledge their allegiance, has also submitted the name of Wilson Wazir from Landi Kotal for the sole minority seat of the newly-merged tribal districts.

Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), which won three seats in the elections, has nominated Naeema Kishwar Khan from South Waziristan for its solitary reserved seat.

The announcement comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notified all 16 winning candidates on general seats, for which elections were held on July 20.

As part of the registration process, lawmakers-elect will be provided with membership cards of the provincial assembly, opening bank accounts and other required information to update the assembly website.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also established a desk in the assembly building for consultation with MPAs of the newly-merged tribal districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2019.