ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday continued to resonate with voices of dissent against the government’s efforts to introduce reforms in the forsaken Fata region to bring it on a par with the rest of the country.

Surprisingly, though, the most full-throated opposition to the report of the Special Committee on Fata Reforms came not from the opposition benches, but from government allies, who rubbished the report and warned that if the government implemented the recommendations of the Sartaj Aziz-led panel, it would only alienate tribesmen further.

On Thursday, it was the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief — a key ally of the federal government — who distanced himself from the Fata reforms committee. On Friday, it was the turn of veteran Pakhtun politician Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who out-rightly rejected the report, saying, “If this report is implemented, it will only lead to further destruction”.

The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader said: “I totally endorse Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s speech on the issue of Fata reforms, even though politicians like us are conveniently called traitors for speaking our minds.”

Known for his nationalist streak, Mr Achakzai, at the outset of his speech, quoted a few historical references to prove that most of the subcontinent had remained part of Afghanistan at one point in time or the other. But even then, people from the current region of Fata didn’t accept Kabul’s rule.

Achakzai endorses Fazl’s viewpoint; opposition members take issue with PkMAP leader’s selective reading of history

The PkMAP chief said this region was repeatedly attacked but remained unconquered, suggesting that the government be very careful in deciding its future. Criticizing the powers that be, Mr Achakzai said that as long as Uzbeks, Chechens and Tajiks were not brought in and settled in different tribal agencies to help with the fight against Russians, there were absolutely no problems.

Like the JUI-F head before him, Mr Achakzai also rejected the idea of merging the Fata region with Khyber Pakhtunkwa, as recommended in the report. If this were to happen, he said, there would be a massive backlash that might be difficult for the country to handle.

Turning towards his pet subject, Afghan affairs, the PkMAP leader said that Afghanistan only wanted its sovereignty to be respected by Pakistan. “Once that trust level is built, I assure you everything will be alright. Otherwise, no one can imagine the amount of devastation we will face; war is already looming large,” said Mr Achakzai. In conclusion, he suggested the revision of the report in consultation with the true representatives of the people of Fata.

Mr Achakzai’s remarks also attracted criticism from the opposition benches. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief whip Dr Shireen Mazari said pointedly it was unfortunate to quote just a few pieces of history to support one’s argument regarding the history of Afghanistan. “If this is the case, I can even go even further, recalling how Greeks came to the region and so on.” The PTI lawmaker said the emphasis of the discussion should be on how to improve living conditions in Fata instead of delving into historical controversies.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Shazia Marri endorsed her argument, saying that though she respected Mr Achakzai’s right to his opinion, no one possessed the right to pass judgement and questioned other’s patriotism.

Likewise, PPP’s Yousaf Talpur said that throughout, Sindhis had successfully repulsed Afghan invaders and it was wrong to assert that Sindh was once a part of Afghanistan.

However, it was PPP’s Dr Nafisa Shah who said that at a time when India was claiming to have carried out surgical strikes on Pakistani soil, members of the house were arguing over unnecessary historical references, and sought precise information on the Indian claim.

In response, Safron minister Abdul Qadir Baloch categorically rejected the Indian claim. “Having served in the region as a unit, brigade and division commander, I can assure this house that no surgical strike has been carried out by the Indian army; it is merely propaganda,” said the minster.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2016