Tribal Jirga in FATA demands an independent province and no merger with KP

Author: Ahmad Nabi

KHYBER AGENCY: Tribal jirga resented the merging of the Federally Administer Tribal Area (FATA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and demanded a separate province for the tribesmen.

A grand jirga of tribal elders was held in Jamrud bazaar on Thursday that was attended by dozens of elites from seven tribal agencies and six Frontier Region (FRs) across the tribal belt.

Addressing on the occasion Malik Attaullah, Malik Waris Khan Afridi, Malik Khan Marjan, Malik Abdurrazaq, Haji Baz Gul, Ameer Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal(JUI-F), subedar major of Khasadar Abdul Jalil Dawar, coordinator FATA Supreme Council, Col (retd.)Inamullah said that if the decision of merging of FATA was imposed against their will they would have other options such as self-immolation.

They criticized ‘Thana, Patwar Culture’ and said it was not only contrast with tribal rites but would leave more than 27,000 khasadar jobless.

The speakers added that for the last one decade for restoration of peace in FATA, hundreds of khasadar forces laid down their lives although introducing of the police system was equal to ignore their sacrifices.

They appreciated Maulana Fazal Rehman for supporting their stance and urged him to raise a voice for their rights in the parliament and play active role to block what they called demand of handful tribal, merging of FATA in KP.

The grand jirga also announced setting up of massive sit-in to be scheduled on 23 December in Islamabad against merging of FATA in KP and Thana Culture and asked the tribesmen to join it in greater number to convoy a message to the authorities that they were representing the majority in FATA.

The tribal jirga along with khasadar troops also took out a protest rally at Bab-e-Khyber against imposing of Thana Culture in the tribal belt.

Published in Daily Times, December 15^th2017.