Workshop: Fata people demand equal status

Representatives of different Community Based Organisations demand equal status.

PESHAWAR: The representatives of different Community Based Organisations (CBOs) from Orakzai and Kurram agencies on Monday demanded equal status with the rest of the country. The representatives said that the tribal people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) should be extended the same rights that were enjoyed by their fellow citizens in settled areas of the country.

The speakers, while addressing a three-day capacity building workshop on project planning and management skills, highlighted that many sections of Frontiers Crimes Regulation (FCR) are in clear violation of basic human rights.

The workshop has been arranged by Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme (CAMP).

The speakers also demanded extension of the Political Parties Act to Fata. CAMP is implementing a British High Commission funded project titled Communities for Change in Bajaur, Orakzai, North and South Waziristan agencies, speaker said.

During the course of the workshop, participants were given training on basic skills required for planning and managing any project.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2010.