Combating militancy: FATA lawmakers divided on efficacy of 3Ds policy

MNAs say that the security situation has not improved.

ISLAMABAD:

Lawmakers from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) have mixed feelings about the efficacy of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government’s “development, dialogue and deterrence” strategy on curbing militancy.

The strategy, known popularly as the 3Ds, was devised soon after the PPP came to power. The central aim of its Fata policy was “political engagement, massive socio-economic development and use of force, if required, to restore the writ of the state”.

Some parliamentarians believe, however, that none of the points have materialised during the last five years. “We have not seen any progress, as far as the 3Ds strategy of the PPP government is concerned during the five years of its government,” MNA Muhammad Kamran Khan from Fata told The Express Tribune.

He pointed out that though former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had promised to establish a university and medical college in Fata along with enhancing its development funds up to Rs21 billion, none of the commitments were ever fulfilled. Khan stated that most of the areas in his constituency in North Waziristan are still deprived of clean drinking water and electricity.

“Our biggest challenge in Fata is maintaining the writ of the government and it is only possible through dialogue with the Taliban,” he explained. Besides, he also noted that political reforms spelled out for the tribal areas existed only on paper. In stark contrast, MNA Sajid Hussain Turi said he was happy with the development work carried out in his constituency by the federal government. He also praised its role for maintaining law and order in Parachinar.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2013.