KHAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders on Monday announced the Frontier Crimes Regulation prevalent in the Federally Administered Areas would be abolished after their party created ‘Naya (new) Pakistan’.

They also said the change of old tribal system was necessary to protect the tribesmen’s dignity and eliminate hurdles to protection of their rights.

The PTI leaders were addressing a large public meeting here, where party workers, students, youths and workers of other political parties showed up in large numbers.

Among the speakers were PTI leaders, including Nawabzada Jalaluddin Khan, Gul Zafar Khan, Anwar Zeb Khan, Mambar Khan and Tahir Khan Umarzai.

Insists change of old system vital for protection of tribesmen’s rights

The speakers said PTI was committed to changing the old system of governance in Fata to ensure protection of the people’s rights and dispensation of speedy justice to them.

They said misuse of FCR, absence of social justice system and denial of constitutional rights in Fata areas were the major causes of the prevailing sense of depression among and backwardness of tribesmen.

The speakers said the PTI central leadership was very concerned about the issues and problems confronting Fata residents.

They said abolition of FCR, protection of tribesmen’s rights and extension of judicial system to tribal areas were the top priority of PTI.

The speakers said PTI would protect the tribesmen’s dignity and ensure provision of constitutional rights to them.

Nawabzada Jalaluddin Khan said Fata residents were very peaceful and civilised people and that though they had always rendered valuable sacrifices for the country, they were denied basic rights.

He accused the PML-N-led federal government of doing nothing for the welfare of Fata people.

The PTI leader said the PML-N government had curtailed annual development funds for Fata showing lack of its interest in improving the tribesmen’s living standard.

Mamabar Khan said the federal government had failed to control corruption and provide justice to tribesmen and that the incidence of corruption and injustice had alarmingly increased in tribal areas during the PML-N government in the centre.

Other speakers criticised Fata parliamentarians, especially local MNA Shahabuddin Khan, for doing nothing for improving the tribesmen’s lot and changing the old system of governance.

They said MNA Shahabuddin Khan had promised to work for the abolition of FCR but failed to fulfil his promise to the misery of the people.

The speakers also flayed the lawmaker for opposing Fata reforms and introduction of local government system in the region.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2014