Move to merge Fata with K-P assembly castigated
A resolution had been passed unanimously in the house, asking the Parliament to give representation to the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), though merged with the K-P assembly, albeit after consent from the people of the region.
Fata operates semi-autonomously under the Federal government through political agents, and is governed by the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).
Rehman was joined by Senator Haji Khan Afridi and MNAs Bilal, Hameedullah Jan Kamran Khan and Zafar Baig in voicing their opposition to the move.
They later told The Express Tribune that they would reject the present bill. “The assembly has no such right to legislate about Fata, as not even in the provincial government is there any FATA representation,” they maintained.
They were of the view that despite being official representatives of the people of Fata, even they had not been taken into confidence about the matter. “It is mere a political stunt of Awami National Party (ANP) to garner sympathies of the people,” they said.
MNA Bilal compared the move to that by Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Sindh Assembly, when it pushed a resolution for the Hazara province.
Deploring the provincial government’s move, he contended that a resolution should be introduced on how to stop corruption in the province and how incidents like the Bannu jailbreak could be prevented.
Giving his reasons against the inclusion of Fata in the provincial assembly, Bilal expressed concern that all resources of Fata would be moved out of it and the woes of inhabitants would further increase.
The MNA said they were negotiating with JUI-F and other political parties and would raise the issue on floor of the house in forthcoming sessions of both houses.
Hafiz Rashed, an ex-senator from Fata when asked the same question told The Express Tribune that our foremost demand was an independent Fata with its assembly and if not then the current status be maintained.
Another tribal elder and head of the Haleemzai peace committee, Muhammad Ali Haleemzai when contacted, called it a waste of time and said the inhabitants of Fata were happy with the FCR.
Fata Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) vice president Jangrez Khans also denounced the resolution and termed it ANP’s sole decision, and that it had no sanction from the PPP.
High Court Bar President Latif Khan Khan Afridi brushed aside all the concerns about the proposed step of the assembly. “All these representatives are so-called legislatures of Fata, are least concerned about the plight and miseries of people of that area.”
“While the political agents toe the same line, since they want to maintain the status quo, because it will quash their hold over the poor people. But we will unshackle them”.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Atlast this debate has gained some attention in media. Recent study by CAMP indicate that around 26% of the fata residents favour a separate province where as 22.0% support a merger with KPK.. 70% of the people have shown distrust in government units such as FATA secretrait and FATA Development Authority which are run by officials from non-tribal areas. They are inefficient and ineffective in planning, implementing & monitoring development needs of the region.
Therefore, no social, political and economic development is possible in FATA without corresponding changes in the current system of administration and governance. Rather then wasting scarce resources on capacity building of these ineffective government units,attention should be given to empower tribal people so that they are fully prepared for future self-government.
Bridging the gap between FATA and rest of Pakistan is extremely important in bringing stability and peace in the region.
But Are the people of FATA ready for change? What shape should those reforms take? A Seperate Province? Repealing the FCR and merging with KPK, disbanding the Khasadar and levies and raising a KPK police force instead, and having a uniform judicial system across FATA and KP. However, each of these can be problematic. Can Fata realistically be a separate province or can it be merged with KPK?? The is the time to start the debate- before its too late.