In limbo: Independents from FATA struggle to form united front

Expected to take decision of joining a party or not today.

SHABQADAR:

Independent candidates from Fata seem to be struggling to form a united front and are likely to furnish their response on joining a party or not on Saturday (today).

In the past, members of Parliament from Fata formed their own group in a bid to fulfil their demands. During the last government, they formed their own parliamentary group led by Munir Orakzai comprising ministers, parliamentary secretaries and chairmen of standing committees.

Other members of the group included K-P Governor Shaukatullah, Hamidullah Jan Afridi and Senator Abbas Afridi.



After the extension of the Political Parties Act to the tribal areas, candidates of PML-N, JUI-F and PTI also emerged successful in the general elections. NA-42 was won by JUI-F backed Jamal Mehsud, NA-44 by PML-N’s Shahabuddin, while NA-47 by PTI’s Jamal Nasir. However, elections in some areas of Kurram, North Waziristan and Khyber agencies were postponed or their results were put on hold over rigging allegations.

Of the six victorious independents, the candidate from NA-39 North Waziristan joined PML-N after he was not convinced by the independent group. The rest include experienced candidates former federal minister GG Jamal and ex-MNA Bilal Rehman, while Governor Shaukatullah Khan’s father Haji Bismillah Khan, Jawad Hussain Tori and Al Hajj Shah Jee Gul Afridi have no parliamentary experience.



These candidates held a meeting with PML-N leader in Islamabad where they were invited to join the party. However, they were still weighing their options and are expected to respond today.

Afridi, a candidate from Khyber Agency, told The Express Tribune they had agreed in principle not to join PML-N and are intending to remain independent. “We are waiting for the results of two Fata constituencies and if they are announced then our group will have more power to pressurise the government on any decisions regarding the tribal belt,” he added.

Senator Rehman, brother of Bilal Rehman who succeeded for the second term from Mohmand, also supported the formation of the group to secure funds and other benefits from the government. “Our status will weaken if we decide to join any party; we will be bound to obey specific party rules and regulations,” he added.

He claimed one of the members joined hands with PML-N because he has no know-how. “Some of the new elected members don’t realise the chronic issues of this war-torn region.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2013.