Historical move: FATA Reforms bill to be presented in National Assembly on Monday
Draft aims to rid the region of the draconian FCR
Draft aims to rid the region of the draconian FCR. PHOTO: APP
SHABQADAR:
The people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas are inching closer to their goals of tabling a draft bill to obtain constitutional authority and rid the region of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.
Speaking to The Express Tribune on Saturday, FATA Lawyers Forum President Ijaz Mohmand said parliamentarians have signed the bill and will present it in the upcoming session of the National Assembly on Monday.
Inked proposals
The draft bill suggests a range of amendments to constitutional provisions.
According to a copy of the bill available with The Express Tribune, Article 1, subclause 2(c) is a major point of contention. The section states that the tribal areas are a territory of Pakistan.
On the other hand, Article 247, clause 7 states that authority of high courts cannot be extended to the tribal belt.
Parliamentarians have argued that if the tribal areas are part of Pakistan then tribespeople should enjoy the same rights that
people in developed parts of the country do.
They have also proposed amendments regarding the geographical description of the tribal areas, saying all the agencies of Fata should be included as part of Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (Pata).
Pages of history
For many years, tribespeople have been subjected to stringent conditions imposed by the FCR. According to Mohmand, if the bill is passed, the people of Fata will be able to climb out of their ongoing predicament and obtain a new lease of life.
When contacted, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MNA Shahabuddin told The Express Tribune they have been lobbying to get a two-third majority in the assembly to ensure the bill is passed. He added support has been promised by Awami National Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2015.
The people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas are inching closer to their goals of tabling a draft bill to obtain constitutional authority and rid the region of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.
Speaking to The Express Tribune on Saturday, FATA Lawyers Forum President Ijaz Mohmand said parliamentarians have signed the bill and will present it in the upcoming session of the National Assembly on Monday.
Inked proposals
The draft bill suggests a range of amendments to constitutional provisions.
According to a copy of the bill available with The Express Tribune, Article 1, subclause 2(c) is a major point of contention. The section states that the tribal areas are a territory of Pakistan.
On the other hand, Article 247, clause 7 states that authority of high courts cannot be extended to the tribal belt.
Parliamentarians have argued that if the tribal areas are part of Pakistan then tribespeople should enjoy the same rights that
people in developed parts of the country do.
They have also proposed amendments regarding the geographical description of the tribal areas, saying all the agencies of Fata should be included as part of Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (Pata).
Pages of history
For many years, tribespeople have been subjected to stringent conditions imposed by the FCR. According to Mohmand, if the bill is passed, the people of Fata will be able to climb out of their ongoing predicament and obtain a new lease of life.
When contacted, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MNA Shahabuddin told The Express Tribune they have been lobbying to get a two-third majority in the assembly to ensure the bill is passed. He added support has been promised by Awami National Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2015.