Left in the lurch: FATA Political Alliance rallies for tribespeoples’ rights

Says parliamentarians abandoned group protest in Islamabad.

PESHAWAR: FATA Political Alliance and FATA Lawyers Forum expressed the resolve to make the rally for rights of tribal people a success, even without the participation of parliamentarians. This was stated at press conference at Jamrud Press Club on Wednesday.

Addressing the conference, FATA Political Alliance President Shahid Shinwari said parliamentarians had refused to join the rally and participate in the sit-in for the rights of tribespeople which had disappointed them. He said the rally will still be taken out in Islamabad on November 16.

“Parliamentarians joined the FATA Political Alliance for Rights of Tribal People for their vested interests and abandoned it once their motives had been achieved,” said Shinwari. He added parliamentarians quit the alliance after all details for the rally had been finalised, sabotaging the struggle launched for rights of tribespeople.

He said they were still willing to talk to the legislators and get them on board for the movement to get tribal people their rights.

However, leaders from Awami National Party and Qaumi Watan Party have informed the alliance they were willing to join them in the rally.

After refusing to join the alliance, Shahji Gul, a parliamentary leader of independent MNAs from Fata, said the bill regarding the proposed 22nd amendment had been deferred till a recommendation from five-member government committee was issued. Shahabuddin Khan, however, said the
bill will be brought to the house with the support of political parties.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2015.