PESHAWAR: Fata parliamentarians on Tuesday broke silence on the core issues of their region and called for ‘genuine’ reforms there.

Accompanied by five MNAs and Senators at a news conference here, Ghazi Gulab Jamal, who is parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, rejected the recent report of Fata Reforms Commission (FRC) formed by Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan.

“Interestingly, Fata parliamentarians can legislate for the entire country except for people whom they represent,” he said.

Jamal said the government shouldn’t deceive tribal people anymore through cosmetic measures and go for drastic reforms across the region.

“We want amendment to Article 247, establishment of a high court for Fata or separate Peshawar High Court bench for Fata, elected Agency Council and a powerful Fata Council to legislate for their people,” he said.

The Fata Lawyers Forum office-bearers, who are running campaign for amendments to Article 247 of the Constitution, were also present on the occasion.

Jamal said his 13 colleagues failed to attend the news conference due to some engagements.

Criticising the FRC report, he said Fata parliamentarians were invited twice by the commission for briefing, but their proposals had not been incorporated in the document which was unveiled on April 30.

“We appreciate Governor Sardar Mahtab for taking interest to reform the existing system in Fata, but our recommendations had not been included in the FRC’s report,” he said, adding that only elected representatives can recommend genuine reforms.

The Fata MNA complained that the FRC report’s copy had not been provided to the tribal region’s parliamentarians.

He said four of the five FRC members were outsiders, who did not know anything about the tribal region.

Jamal said the Ministry of State and Frontier Region had organised two-day consultative conference about Fata reforms in which local parliamentarians were also invited.

He said he was hopeful that the lawmakers’ suggestions would be incorporated in the report.

The MNA said the establishment had been governing Fata for the last 67 years and that bureaucracy made all decisions including planning and development though the area was the most underdeveloped part of the country.

“A chance should be given to elected representatives to plan development programmes in the area,” he said.

Jamal rejected the FRC recommendation that respective political agent serve as chairman of the proposed Agency Council.

He also rejected proposed Governor Council for Fata and demanded constitution of Fata Council.

The MNA proposed that initially MNAs and Senators serve as members of the Fata Council until the election of its members.

“The proposed Fata Council should be empowered to approve annual development programme and other development projects for the area,” he said.

Jamal said on the pattern of Gilgit-Baltistan, Fata Council should look after planning and development besides making legislation for the area except on matter relating to law and order and executive.

He said there should be an elected Agency Council and that elected members should be its chairman and vice chairman.

The MNA said officers serving at Civil Secretariat Fata and in tribal agencies should have proper knowledge of values, customs and traditions of the tribal society.

Senator Hidayatullah, who belongs to Bajaur Agency, said non-elected people had been given the task of making serious decision about Fata future, which was unfair.

He said FRC members were not familiar with the Fata system and customs and that an elected powerful Fata Council should be made.

The senator said key bodies meant for Fata, including the Fata tribunal, should be manned by the people of tribal areas, who were well versed with local customs and traditions.

MNA Haji Gul Afridi said the incidence of corruption had increased manifold in tribal areas as non-locals had been assigned important duties there.

MNA Nasir Khan Afridi and Senators Momin Khan and Taj Mohammad also attended the news conference.

The Fata Lawyers Forum leaders, including Ijaz Mohmand, Taj Mahal Afridi and Zahir Shah Safi, hailed the stand adopted by tribal parliamentarian and said they would support them for raising voice for the tribal people.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2015

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