PESHAWAR: New system in Fata before election, says Iftikhar
Bureau Report
PESHAWAR, Feb 20: NWFP Governor Lt-Gen (retired) Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah said on Tuesday the government planned to bring the proposed new system into the tribal areas before the coming general election later this year.
He said the proposed Fata reforms would bring revolutionary changes in the existing but out-dated administrative and judicial system in Fata, and stressed that the Jirga mechanism and tribal rewaj (customs) in vogue would continue to exist within the parameters of the new system.
The governor was addressing a big gathering of tribal elders of Bar Qambarkhel at Shinki in Bara Sub-division of Khyber Agency on Tuesday morning. He visited the area to inaugurate the Spring Tree Plantation campaign in Fata.
The Fata reforms, he pointed out, had been formulated after thorough deliberations at various levels and discussions with a cross-section of tribal society, thus, incorporating each and every viewpoint and proposal.
He said the government wanted to make the tribal judicial system as a model for other areas. “We intend to remove the flaws of the existing Fata system and to facilitate the common people.”
Outlining some features of the proposed new system, Iftikhar revealed that the union, Tehsil and agency councils, comprising peoples’ elected representatives would be formed, and be headed by elected Nazimeen. The FCR would be amended to make it a document ensuring justice to everyone, he vowed, and added the court in the new system would be presided over by a munsif instead of political agent and the munsif would process the cases and take decisions through jirga.
He said the tribal people had been demanding right of one appeal against the decision of the political agent under the FCR but the government was awarding them the right of three appeals at different levels.
Elaborating, the governor pointed out that an appellate court and another tribunal, with a retired high court judge as its member, would be established to provide everyone easy access to justice, besides giving another chance to the aggrieved party to have an appeal before the governor against the decision of the tribunal.
He said such clauses of the FCR which were being widely objected upon would be repealed.
Despite giving representation to Fata in the NWFP Assembly, its representation in the National Assembly and the Senate would continue to exist, Iftikhar further said.
The tribal areas had a representation in the then West Pakistan Assembly during the One Unit period which did not affect the status of Fata in any way, he remarked.
The system which was being proposed for Fata, he added, would not affect the tribal customs and traditions because there would be no police and no judiciary like settled areas but the new system would be fully judicious.
Regarding the tree plantation and afforestation in Fata, Iftikhar said the government had changed the old system of tree plantation campaigns and had decided to perform en block afforestation with active community participation. This mechanism, he added, would not only ensure forest protection but also enhance the forest grown areas. He laid emphases on proper nourishment of the planted saplings.
In the past, the governor said, forests had been damaged because of the negligence and inefficiency of some forest officials at lower level. “We are involving the community in this process and it will certainly bring positive results.”
Iftikhar, enumerating the benefits of afforestation, said the forests not only made the environment pleasant but also provided favourable environment to wildlife which was another source of income for the stakeholders.
Referring to the demands earlier made by the tribal elders, he announced up-gradation of a primary school to middle level and opening up of two girls primary schools. The government would, however, study the feasibility of a dam in the area, he added.
