Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Tribal elders from Khyber Agency have categorically rejected the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and demanded the constitution of an independent and elected FATA legislative council, to decide the future of the entire tribal region.

Addressing a press conference at press club here on Friday, Haji Bazar Gul, a tribal elder, and Central President of Khyber Union Organisation, a welfare body based in Khyber Agency, said that the merger of FATA into KP, was unacceptable to tribal people. A council should be constituted, to make legislation according to social, political and traditions of the tribal region, he demanded.

Flanked by the Organiastion office bearers and tribal elders, Murad Sakhi, Gul Maan Shah, Haji Zargoon Shah, Maskeen Shah, Gul Nazar, Shah Nawaz, Dr Syed Anwar and others, he said the reforms package announced by government was contrary to tribal customs and traditions. He said legislation should be made while keeping in view the tribal traditions.

The tribal elders called for abolishment of the draconian law, Frontier Crime Regulation (FCR) along with ending the power of the political agents.

He opposed the extension of jurisdiction of Supreme Court and High courts to Federally Administrated Tribal Areas. “We want constitutional protection to our traditional tribal ‘jirga’, and customs”, he stressed. He said the decisions were unacceptable, which could create complications in future and all disputes can only be resolved through traditional tribal ‘jirga’.

Talking on damages due to prolonged war against terrorism in FATA, Bazar Gul demanded the inclusion of FATA in the next National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, along with announcement of a hefty financial package of Rs.100 billion for tribal people. He called for rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged education and health infrastructure in tribal region, besides launch of mega development projects in FATA and holding of local bodies elections in all tribal agencies.

“A compensation package of two million rupees for completely destroyed, and one million rupees for partially damage houses should be announced, he demanded. He called upon the government to exempt tribal region from all type of taxes, besides complete abolishment of Custom Act in FATA.

He stressed the need of provision of due share to FATA in the multi-billion dollars, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Murad Sakhi on the occasion said the tribal people had immensely suffered due to prolonged war against terrorism and imposition of the black law, FCR. Such decisions should be taken, which could be viable to implement in the FATA, he demanded.