PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F while hailing proposed reforms in Fata has demanded of the government to declare tribal region as separate federating unit instead of merging it with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The demand was made at a meeting which was chaired by the party provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan here on Tuesday, according to a statement. It said that proposed reforms package was a positive step but not sufficient.
“JUI-F welcomes proposed package, but this is not sufficient,” said the statement. The meeting suggested that the government should hold referendum before deciding future of the area. The party also opposed the tribal area’s integration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and suggested that Fata should be declared as fifth federating unit.
The meeting, according to the statement, asked the government to announce mega projects for Fata and bring drastic reforms in health and education sectors.
It condemned arrest of ulema and raids on seminaries and alleged that JUI-F workers were being restricted from continuing political activities in Fata while other political parties had been given free hand. The statement said the meeting also condemned blocking of CNICs of tribal people.
Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2016