Determined: Hundreds head for D-Chowk to demand FATA reforms

Residents of Jamrud encounter barricades en route to the sit-in

HANGU/JAMRUD:

Workers of all parties gathered at the house of their respective leaders in the tribal areas where they started their journey to securing reforms for Fata. Hundreds of vehicles were seen leaving for Islamabad for the sit-in organised by FATA Grand Alliance and FATA Political Alliance in Islamabad. 

A convoy of Pakistan Peoples Party’s Orakzai chapter and other tribesmen left the agency on Monday to participate in the sit-in.

“We will reach D-Chowk at all costs and overcome all hurdles that come our way,” said PPP Orakzai President Iqbal Hussain. “All possible steps will be taken for the rights of the tribespeople.”



Not only were members of PPP enthusiastic to leave for the federal capital, workers and leaders of almost all political parties from various parts of the tribal belt left for Islamabad to partake in the sit-in against the FCR and in favour of Fata’s merger with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Those in Khyber Agency who are neutral regarding the status of Fata also left to participate in the sit-in.

Blockades

The residents of Jamrud who had reached D-Chowk told The Express Tribune over the phone they faced blocked roads at many points en route to the venue but they somehow made it.

They were expecting the number of protesters to reach 15,000 by evening.

MNAs and most of the political leadership from Bajaur Agency were already present in Islamabad. However, workers from the agency, including those of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz left around 9am.

Residents of Bajaur said around 600 vehicles, including cars and flying coaches, left the agency for the capital.

Residents of Kurram Agency were also not behind; they left in large groups for Islamabad to contribute to the protest for their rights.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2015.