Making it legal : FATA officials to share details of new detainees within 24 hours

Failure to reveal information would make the detention illegal

PESHAWAR:

Information on detained or jailed tribesmen would have to be shared within 24 hours of their detention otherwise it would be considered illegal. This was decided in a meeting held by the FATA Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) with political agents of tribal agencies and deputy commissioners of Frontier Regions (FR).

FATA ACS Azam Khan decided during the meeting that separate jails and lock-ups would be constructed in those tribal areas that lacked such facilities, while officials from every agency would be responsible for sending the name and parentage of detainees. Failure to do so would result in the detention being considered an illegal action.



An official told The Express Tribune the information would be sent through fax to the FATA Secretariat, saying the objective was to eliminate the flow of complaints over illegal arrests and detentions in tribal areas.

Alternatives to community policing

The FATA Secretariat spokesperson, while confirming the development, said the participants of the meeting noted that village defence committees (VDC) have lost their significance in some areas, creating an embarrassing situation for the political administration. It was suggested they be phased out and alternatives to fill the vacuum be considered.

The spokesperson said the performance of VDCs would be analysed and they will be facilitated accordingly. If not, alternatives should be found. However, it was not decided what steps would be taken after the VDCs were abolished.

Innovating

He said participants of the meeting also considered giving every assistant political agent in the tribal areas two weeks to come up with an innovative idea to share with officials. He added they would also be asked to specify a timeframe for its execution, saying development would be spurred on through such an exchange.

It was also decided that political agents would renovate the existing transport system in tribal areas within a month, especially terminals. The spokesperson elaborated that terminals would be clean and the renovation process would include restrooms for men and women. Drinking water and paved flooring would also be provided for the ease of the commuter, he said, adding many areas in Fata lacked such facilities. He added reports, along with photographic evidence of the works, would be sent to officials at the FATA Secretariat.

The creation of job vacancies and posts at newly-established facilities such as schools and hospitals was also discussed. He added in most subdivisions, the relevant political agents would conduct the necessary assessment and present their needs after the completion of projects to the FATA Secretariat.

In a separate meeting held on November 10, it was decided the government would establish 230 Montessori systems in Fata in addition to a four years bachelor’s degree programme at the college level. A FATA Secretariat official, who attended meeting which was also chaired by the ACS, told The Express Tribune the scholarships available for students hailing from the tribal areas will be increased from 200 to 2,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2014.