Bringing into the fold: K-P Assembly seeks superior courts’ extension to FATA

Passes joint resolution asking the federal govt to make necessary amendments

PESHAWAR:

Through a unanimous resolution passed on Monday, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly asked the federal government to make necessary amendments to the Constitution to extend the jurisdiction of superior courts to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Members from both sides of the aisle jointly moved the resolution. Law minister Imtiaz Shahid, ANP’s Syed Jaffar Shah, QWP’s Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, PML-N’s Sardar Aurangzeb Nalotha, JI’s Habibur Rehman, PTI’s Ziaullah Afridi, JUI-F’s Maulana Azmatullah and PPP’s Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha signed it.

For basic rights

The resolution states tribesmen are the guardians of Pakistan’s western frontiers and the ongoing insurgency has increased their problems. “Tribesmen left their homes on several occasions on the call of the government due to the law and order situation and faced immense problems.”

It went to add that people of tribal areas are deprived of their basic constitutional rights as they have no access to job opportunities, health and education facilities and communication infrastructure.

Through the resolution, the house asked the provincial government to recommend to the federal government that the jurisdiction of superior courts should be extended to Fata, so its residents have access to the judiciary and their rights are protected.

Lawmakers also called for the establishment of educational institutions such as medical and cadet colleges as well as a women’s university for Fata’s residents, and the establishment of an industrial estate to create jobs.

“The government should also introduce the local government system in the region,” the resolution added.

Buner unrest

Lawmakers belonging to the northern district of Buner expressed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Elum area of the district. JUI-F MPA Mufti Fazl Ghafoor raised the issue during the question and hour session.

Ghafoor said Elum has become the only no-go area in K-P and has turned into a hotbed of criminals. “The area is remote and there are no proper access roads leading to it,” said Ghafoor. The lawmaker added terrorists kidnapped several policemen from Elum a few days ago and three of them were killed.

Lashing out at the district’s senior policemen, Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Habibur Rehman said the police jumped into action after more than 24 hours had passed.

According to Rehman, he had telephoned Buner DPO, Malakand police chief and Elum DSP but no action was taken. “The families of the abducted men made it to the site of the incident immediately, but it took policemen around 29 hours to get there,” said Rehman, adding there are seven check posts in the area.

However, Rehman’s remarks angered JUI-F lawmaker from Lakki Marwat Munawar Khan who said it was regrettable that sitting ministers were making complaints against police officials.

Subsequently, Minister for Law Imtiaz Qureshi ordered the suspension of the DPO and the relevant DSP.

Moreover, Speaker Asad Qaiser sought a response from the police department within a week. During the question and hour session, the house was also informed that 514 police officials have been taken to task in departmental action.

Meanwhile, the assembly unanimously passed K-P Wildlife and Biodiversity Bill. The session was later adjourned till Tuesday afternoon.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2015.