Sir: Bringing reforms to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was a blunt and bold step by the incumbent government. A special committee led by Sartaj Aziz and framed by the ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was formed to discuss issues in FATA with locals. The committee has visited all seven agencies in FATA to meet the district’s people. The conclusion the committee came to was that the only way to bring peace to Pakistan would be by merging FATA with KP and bringing it under mainstream law so that the old colonial Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) can be abolished. Unfortunately some parties and the federal government are working to delay the FATA reforms to protect their interests. The reforms were very close to being passed by the federal cabinet but were delayed Nawaz Sharif. The government’s allies Maulana Fazlur Rahman and Mehmood Khan Achakzai form the visible block which are preventing the FATA reforms from being passed. These people argue that FATA should be a separate province so that the culture of the FATA people can be preserved. It is very strange that these individuals are allowed to create such hurdles despite being a political minority in FATA. There is widespread support for merger with KPK in FATA therefore the reforms should be implemented sooner rather than later. The suffering of the people of FATA under the draconian FCR should not be underestimated. The people of FATA have suffered greatly post-9/11. They have made great sacrifices in this country’s war against terrorism. Politicisation of this issue is a great disservice to them. Unless the area is merged with KPK and brought under Pakistan’s constitution and mainstream laws peace in the region will remain a distant dream. Rahman Toorkhel Bajaur Agency Published in Daily Times, October 22nd 2017.