Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly rejected the federal government’s recently formed committee for FATA under the convenership of PML-N leader Amir Muqam. PTI leaders demanded the committee be immediately dissolved, calling it an unconstitutional intrusion into provincial affairs.
Speaking at a press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with leaders Shah Farman, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Iqbal Afridi, said the federally administered tribal areas (FATA), now merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 25th Amendment, must be governed through elected provincial representatives—not federal appointees.
“This is the second meeting of the committee, and none of our FATA representatives participated,” Gohar said. “14 out of 17 MPAs from FATA belong to PTI. We were excluded. This is a clear denial of our constitutional rights.”
Former KP Governor Shah Farman warned against any attempts to revive colonial-era policies like the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR). He accused the federal government of staging a drama through legislation like the Mines and Minerals Bill to reclaim control over provincial resources.
PTI leaders also questioned the legitimacy of federal involvement in funding and taxation without representation. “They are taxing FATA without providing funds,” said Iqbal Afridi. “No committee should override provincial authority.”
Sheikh Waqas Akram called the committee a façade. “This is not consultation—it’s coercion. The real ‘Jirga’ already exists, and the people of FATA know how to make their own decisions.”
The leaders concluded by saying that the federal government owes FATA over Rs700 billion and should focus on paying its dues rather than forming “two-number” (illegitimate) committees.