Discussion: Speakers for introducing LG system in FATA

ISLAMABAD:

Speakers have called for introducing local government system in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to devolve powers to local representatives.

They also called for curtailing powers of the political agent.

They were speaking at a roundtable discussion, organised by the Fata Research Centre here on Friday, about the possibility of initiating local government (LG) system in the area and ramifications of its delay.

“We demand that only administrative powers should remain with the political agent and judicial and executive powers should be devolved to separate tribunals elected independently,” said Justice (retd) Ajmal Mian.

He said under the constitution, FATA was the fifth entity of Pakistan and its residents were Pakistanis and it was time the government integrated them into the main stream. It is quite simple, he said, the president issued an ordinance ordering holding local elections in the area to end deprivation of the residents.

Interestingly, none of the four legislators from FATA, who were invited to the roundtable discussion, showed up.

“They never wanted and would never let it happen because dispensation of power and resources to the lowest entities of society is the death of their empire(s),” said President Fata Research Centre Ashraf Ali, while referring to the absent legislators.

He said that the law and order situation was just an excuse for not introducing and holding local government elections in the area.

“The political and judicial vacuum coupled with bad governance and massive corruption in state institutions has resulted in creating a gap between the state and society in tribal areas,” said Ajmal Wazir, a Malik from South Waziristan.

The speakers said this widening gap has led to deprivation and frustration among the locals, which was cashed by militants and non-state actors.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2014.