Politicking: FATA alliance rejects reform proposals

Demands govt to grant tribespeople their due rights.

SHABQADAR: A seven-party alliance from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas has rejected FATA Reforms Commission’s recommendations for the tribal heartlands, saying it will continue to struggle for the due rights of the people of Fata.

Talking to The Express Tribune, representatives of the FATA Syasi Ittehad, including the newly elected President Akhunzada Chattan, said the FRC has no representation from Fata whatsoever. All the stakeholders, including Fata lawmakers, have rejected the FRC’s recommendations at our last meeting that was held at Peshawar Press Club,” Chattan said.

Equal rights

The alliance demanded amendments in Article 246 and Article 247 of the Constitution, extension of superior courts and PEMRA Ordinance to Fata, local government elections and compensation and complete rehabilitation of the displaced families.



Chattan said, “The government’s claims that law and order is the main hurdle in reforms are absolutely false.”

Zahir Shah Safi, the newly elected general secretary of the consortium said, “The governor has fooled Fata residents time and again.”

He added that in the past, bureaucracy rule has failed in Fata and the FRC is also an extension of the same methods.

The other side

A member of the FRC requesting anonymity said Fata is a radicalised society and bringing about large scale reforms is impossible.

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