Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: Jamiat Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F) favours the implementation of the reforms package for the tribal belt in the initial stage to remove the sense of deprivation among the tribesmen and then let them decide the future status of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

These views were expressed by Ameer JUI-F, FATA Mufti Abdul Shakoor Betani, while talking to local media persons on is visit to the guest house) of the General Secretary JUI-F, FATA, Mufti Ijaz Shinwari to condole with him on the death of his cousin on Sunday. Flanked by Secretary Information, FATA, Ahmad Saeed Dawar, Deputy Secretary Information, Qari Jihad Shah and Ameer JUI-F, Landikotal Qari Mujahid, he said that repatriation and rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of temporary displaced persons was the primary concern that needed to be addressed. He further said that the JUI-F wanted a respectful return of all tribal TDPS to their respective towns, provide them all the basic necessities including health and education and then let them choose their future status regarding the tribal belt.

“JUI-F has an opinion to have a separate province for the tribesmen rather than to merge into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where they have their own governor, chief minister and their provincial assembly constituted as per their needs”.

Counting the benefits of a separate province for the tribals Mufti Abdul Shakoor said that it would have its own share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award besides abandoned minerals across the tribal belt would be explored and would be utilised for the betterment of the tribals.

The JUI-F, FATA, Ameer criticised the merging of FATA into KP and declared its supporters as agents of foreign powers who were active to break Pakistan. Mr. Shakoor added that imposing an option contrary to wishes of the tribesmen would be equal to deprive them of their right of plebiscite as the Indian Prime Minister Modi negated the right of general polls to the people of held Kashmir. Replaying to a query he said that for making necessary amendment in the constitution, a referendum could be legalised to seek the choice of the tribals.

He warned that if the agenda of merging of FATA into KP was imposed prior to the willing of the tribesmen a comprehensive agitation movement would be launched across FATA. Meanwhile the forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from a field during a search here in Ghundi area of tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Agency on Sunday.

The forces official said the troops of Swat Scouts carried out the search and recovered arms and explosives hided in an open field.

The confiscated arms included 33 hand grenades, 17 rocket shells, 04 rocket launchers and a large quantity of explosives. The forces extended the search operation to the surrounding areas, however no one was arrested, officials confirmed.

Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the rulers and bureaucracy were not interested in legislation. Addressing a lawyers’ convention organised by the JUI-F here on Sunday, Fazl said that Pakistan was not a secular but an Islamic country and according to its constitution, all laws will be made in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah.

He said that the JUI-F had disconnected the supply line of the terrorists.

He said that development work in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was equal to zero, adding that fundamental facilities should be provided to FATA people. He said that people associated with law had always talked about law. He said that the system of the country would be democratic and not parliamentary.

He said that merger of FATA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was an opinion and a separate province and identity for FATA people was another opinion. He said that the government had also constituted a committee for reforms in FATA.