Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Leaders of FATA Political Alliance (FPA) have threatened to observe 14th August 2016 as a Black Day, if merging of tribal regions into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is not assured.

Speaking at news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, they alleged that some anti-reforms elements wanted to create hurdles in the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to KP province. President FPA Haji Iqbal Afridi said that the tribespeople wanted to repeal Frontier Crime Regulatory (FCR) implemented by the British aimed at oppressing the tribesmen, adding that when they became part of Pakistan after partition, then foreign law could not be imposed upon them.

Accompanied by Zar Noor Afridi of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Ijaz Afridi of National Party (NP), Nisar Khan of Awami National Party (ANP) and Mustafa of Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), he demanded abolishing Article 247 of the draconian law and bringing reforms in FATA so that the downtrodden and deprived class of Pakistan could also enjoy equal rights like people in settled areas.

Despite billions of rupees are allocated for the development of FATA, even foreign donations for tribal people are being embezzled because of the FCR. He added none of the tribals could dare to ask about the funds from political administration (PA). Zar Noor Afridi on the occasion said they wanted to bring over 10 million people into the mainstream and until the people of no-go areas were provided equal rights as enjoyed by people in settled areas, the menace of instability would remain intact.

When the people of FATA are deliberately oppressed and deprived of basic human rights in every aspect including education, health, employment, communication system and others, it is obvious the people are set up for failure.

He said markets and homes were bulldozed during operations against militants in Miramshah and the repatriated families still lived under the open skies while the federal government was least bothered about rehabilitating and reconstructing their homes and markets. “No educational institutions, health and other facilities have been given to the returned tribal families.”

Ijaz Afridi demanded the Prime Minister of Pakistan to announce at least Rs 500billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure system, which was sacrificed for the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. They said if their demands were not met till 14th August 2016, they would not observe it as a black day.