Grand jirga briefs Fazl on tribal concerns

Seeks PM's audience via JUI-F chief

ISLAMABAD:

A delegation representing the grand tribal jirga called on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad on Tuesday to apprise him of the prevailing situation in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The delegation expressed serious reservations over the government's committee constituted to look into matters related to FATA.

During the meeting, participants held detailed discussions on the functioning and credibility of the committee, raising questions about its mandate and representation.

Seeking greater engagement at the highest level, the delegation appealed to the Maulana to help arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to formally present their concerns.

In this context, the delegation requested the formation of a dedicated committee to prepare for and pursue the meeting with the premier. They also urged the JUI-F chief to personally lead the committee in order to ensure their demands are communicated with the necessary weight and clarity.

Responding to the request, the JUI-F supremo assured the tribal representatives of his complete support, vowing not to leave them in the lurch.

"We will soon meet the prime minister and convey your concerns in clear terms," the Maulana assured the delegation, committing to take up the matter at the highest political level.

It is pertinent to note that the federal committee tasked with exploring the revival of the traditional jirga system in K-P has stirred political tensions, with PTI accusing the Centre of trying to reverse the 2018 tribal merger.

Formed last month for "effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism", the committee met earlier this month to chart its course. However, the meeting quickly hit political headwinds as PTI, which governs the province, alleged that the federal initiative was a veiled attempt to undo the hard-won integration of the tribal areas.