In the shadow: ANP calls for LG polls in FATA on urgent basis

Says a series of legal reforms should be introduced to empower tribespeople

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Amir Haider Khan Hoti has pressed the federal government to urgently conduct local bodies’ elections in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday at the Bacha Khan Markaz, the party’s headquarters, Hoti said holding local government (LG) polls in the tribal belt would ensure the transfer of power to the grassroots level. Earlier, the party’s provincial president had addressed a jirga of the Bajaur Political Alliance.

“The people of Fata are facing countless governance issues,” he said. “The local bodies’ polls will provide a suitable avenue to resolve their issues.”

According to Hoti, LG elections in the tribal belt will have a positive impact and the government should not shy away from conducting polls in the region.

“The polls will offer a solution for the people of the entire country and the people of Fata should not be exempted from the benefits it will reap,” he added.

A question of empowerment

The party’s provincial president said various political parties in K-P have pledged support for introducing reforms to tackle the challenges faced by the people of Fata.

“At this stage, it is necessary to introduce legislation to expedite the process of introducing reforms,” he said.

According to Hoti, such changes can only be achieved once all major stakeholders join hands with politicians and work towards building a future for people of the tribal areas.

“I strongly believe the FCR should be abolished,” he said. “Only then can tribespeople find their own solutions to the problems they find themselves in.”

Hoti also drew attention to the injustices faced by lawmakers from Fata and pressed the government to take steps to rectify them. “These lawmakers are entitled to legislate for the rest of the country, but cannot do the same for their own constituencies,” he said.

Similarly, the ANP leader also said a separation of powers needs to be maintained between the judiciary and the executive in Fata. “This will help resolve the problems faced by tribespeople.”

Looking ahead

Hoti demanded immediate repatriation of all internally displaced persons (IDP) to the tribal areas.

“The government should assist the displaced population to build a new life for themselves,” he said. “We must realise the support shown by the tribespeople was vital in restoring peace in the region.  The least we can do is do something for them in return.”

Speaking about the future prospects of Fata, he said tribespeople should have the option of choosing whether they want to be part of K-P or a provincial status of their own.

In addition, Hoti highlighted the impact of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan on tribespeople’s fate.

“In the past, the absence of trust between both countries has negatively impacted Pukhtuns on both sides of the border,” he said. “Therefore, stronger bilateral relations should be maintained between both countries.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2015.