At loggerheads: Rallies held over FATA’s future status

Opposing groups call gatherings to show support on respective stances.

HANGU/JAMRUD: Tribespeople of Fata, who have divergent views regarding the future status of the region, arranged separate gatherings in Jamrud on Sunday to show their support for their respective stances.

Members of FATA Political Alliance, who want the tribal areas to be merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, arranged a rally at Bab-e-Khyber. On the other hand, members of the opposing group, FATA Grand Alliance, called a jirga at the hujra of Malik Wali Khan Afridi, an elder, in the same area. At their rally, the activists of FATA Political Alliance hoisted black flags and showed their reservations towards the stance of the opponent group, saying the more orthodox tribal elders were creating hurdles in their efforts to end the status quo.

Separate ways

Members of FATA Political Alliance gathered at Jamrud Stadium from where they proceeded towards Bab-e-Khyber and Takhta Beg check post. A large number of participants carried flags of various political parties while others hoisted black flags. The rally was attended by many, including FATA Lawyers Forum President Ijaz Mohmand.

Many participants said a series of hurdles were being created by those who were in favour of the system introduced by the British.

“Now is the time to bring an end to the outdated and infamous system run through the Frontier Crimes Regulations that has failed in addressing basic needs of tribesmen,” said one of the participants.

A majority of participants vowed to organise a rally in Islamabad on Monday (today) in a bid to persuade the government to accept their demands.

Separately, the FATA Grand Alliance jirga was convened and a large number of tribespeople  from all over the tribal belt attended the event. The jirga was addressed by Malik Waris Khan Afridi, Malik Hamidullah Jan, Faizullah Jan, Khan Marjan Wazir, Malik Muhammad Ali Muhmand, Malik Ismael, Maulana Sherani, Malik Abdul Qahar, Malik Jan Faraz and others. The grand alliance comprises elders who are influential and are known for their links with civil and military establishments.

Members of the FATA Grand Alliance are in favour of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to determine the fate of the tribal areas through a five-member committee. They repeatedly insist the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah had declared Fata the fifth federating unit of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2015.