Out of the loop: FATA MNAs to decide future course today

Will ask senators to join boycott of Parliament proceedings.

GHALLANI: After boycotting the National Assembly proceedings on Wednesday over the federal government’s perceived disregard for their input, lawmakers belonging to the tribal areas will meet today (Friday) to discuss their next step.

National Assembly members (MNAs) from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) claim the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has not taken them into confidence with regard to the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, especially as they represent the people of Fata.

The representative from Khyber Agency told The Express Tribune that Fata MNAs had asked the prime minister (PM) for a meeting to discuss the peace process once negotiations started with the Taliban, “but instead of taking us in to confidence the PM is yet to meet us.”

Another lawmaker from Fata said they also desire the formation of a committee to oversee the disbursement of funds for Fata, especially those under the Kerry-Lugar bill. He said Fata MNAs will discuss their future course of action on Friday (today) and also request senators from the tribal areas to join them. He further said they may decide to continue their boycott till they are taken seriously by the government.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) MNA Muhammad Jamaluddin of South Waziristan told The Express Tribune, “We are the elected representatives of Fata but all of our issues are decided in Islamabad or Peshawar and no one ever consults us.”

He said they can play the most constructive role in the peace process as they are from the area but no one from the ruling party has contacted them for their feedback.

During the NA proceedings on Wednesday, MNA Shah Gul Afridi spoke against negligence of the government and said nothing has been done for the tribal areas over the past eight months. All Fata MNAs then boycotted the proceedings.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2014.