Time for action: FATA elders demand equal rights
Say they will take to streets to get demands met
PHOTO AFP
PESHAWAR:
Scores of tribal elders from Fata and Balochistan have demanded reforms and the extension of the Constitution to the tribal areas from the federal government, saying the time for seminars to discuss reforms was over and it was time to take action.
The elders, including maliks and politicians, also asked authorities to take immediate steps for the reconstruction of war-affected areas.
A jirga organised by the Pak-Afghan People’s Forum at a local hotel on Saturday called attention to the issues faced by tribal people. The participants urged the government to find a solution on a priority basis.
“There is no more time for seminars and discussions on Fata. Now we will come to the roads to press for our demands and rights,” said PPP leader from Bajaur and former MNA Akhun Zada Chattan. “We only want our areas to be governed under the Constitution of Pakistan as Fata is a part of the country.”
The tribal elders strongly criticised the FCR under which the area has been governed since 1901. They asked authorities to treat tribesmen as equal citizens of the country and recognise their status as nationals.
Chattan said that they will organise a rally to press for reforms in Khyber Agency on Sunday (today).
“Four million tribal people were displaced by the ongoing military operations in the region,” said National Party General Secretary Nazeef Khan. “No steps were taken for the return of these people and rehabilitation of the affected areas.”
Khan said like other parts of the country, there should be at least one medical college in every tribal agency. He added previous governments have done nothing but exploit Fata.
Tribal elders, including maliks from all seven agencies, were invited to highlight the issues of their particular areas. “We should be told of our crime [if any],” said Ghani Gul Mehsud. “We are loyal to this country so why are we governed through draconian British-era laws?”
He added tribespeople had been left at the mercy of corrupt political agents who ruled them under “inhumane laws (FCR)”. The tribal elder demanded that displaced people residing in camps should be rehabilitated immediately and be provided basic facilities in their native areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2015.
Scores of tribal elders from Fata and Balochistan have demanded reforms and the extension of the Constitution to the tribal areas from the federal government, saying the time for seminars to discuss reforms was over and it was time to take action.
The elders, including maliks and politicians, also asked authorities to take immediate steps for the reconstruction of war-affected areas.
A jirga organised by the Pak-Afghan People’s Forum at a local hotel on Saturday called attention to the issues faced by tribal people. The participants urged the government to find a solution on a priority basis.
“There is no more time for seminars and discussions on Fata. Now we will come to the roads to press for our demands and rights,” said PPP leader from Bajaur and former MNA Akhun Zada Chattan. “We only want our areas to be governed under the Constitution of Pakistan as Fata is a part of the country.”
The tribal elders strongly criticised the FCR under which the area has been governed since 1901. They asked authorities to treat tribesmen as equal citizens of the country and recognise their status as nationals.
Chattan said that they will organise a rally to press for reforms in Khyber Agency on Sunday (today).
“Four million tribal people were displaced by the ongoing military operations in the region,” said National Party General Secretary Nazeef Khan. “No steps were taken for the return of these people and rehabilitation of the affected areas.”
Khan said like other parts of the country, there should be at least one medical college in every tribal agency. He added previous governments have done nothing but exploit Fata.
Tribal elders, including maliks from all seven agencies, were invited to highlight the issues of their particular areas. “We should be told of our crime [if any],” said Ghani Gul Mehsud. “We are loyal to this country so why are we governed through draconian British-era laws?”
He added tribespeople had been left at the mercy of corrupt political agents who ruled them under “inhumane laws (FCR)”. The tribal elder demanded that displaced people residing in camps should be rehabilitated immediately and be provided basic facilities in their native areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2015.