ISLAMABAD, July 15: Leading figures and parliamentarians from Fata on Tuesday called for formation of an independent and elected Fata council to restore peace and end armed conflicts in the tribal region.

A diverse gathering of tribal elders, members of Fata peace committees, university professors, religious scholars, representatives of political parties, including the Awami National Party and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, civil society representatives, and members of grand tribal alliance attending a national consultation on “Fata: reforms and modalities” also demanded that the federal government should announce its policy for tribal areas.

The forum was organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with the Actionaid Pakistan.

Minister for Environment Hamidullah Jan Afridi said the people of Fata, being genuine stakeholders to any reforms in tribal areas, must be consulted before any decision was taken.

“Tribal people know better about their problems and needs and how to resolve them,” he said.

He said a policy of permanent engagement, a conscious effort at result-oriented investment and serious endeavours were required to bring Fata into the mainstream.

Criticising policies of the previous government, based on expediency followed by neglect and again expediency when circumstances demanded, he said a long-term engagement in Fata and reforms and improvements were both a dream and hope.

“All of us recognise that Fata must come out of its isolation. It cannot continue to exist in its prevalent state of backwardness for long. We owe to the people of Fata to seriously begin to think about them and develop a future vision and then work ahead to achieve it,” he said.

He suggested legal reforms but in consultation with the real stakeholders — the people of Fata — followed by massive socio-economic investment and sustained efforts at human development focusing on un-interrupted education, creation of opportunities for gainful employment and building of infrastructure.