PESHAWAR: Members of civil society organisations from Fata on Thursday expressed reservations about the proposed reforms package for their region and demanded the immediate merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Focal person for Takrah Qabaili Khwenday (brave tribal sisters) from Orakzai Agency Nosheen Fatima told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club that militancy had affected women the most but they were totally ignored in the discussion on Fata reforms.

She said like men, Fata women too raised voice against the draconian law of Frontier Crimes Regulation and demanded its repeal.

Ms Fatima complained there’s no representation of tribal women during consultation on Fata reforms. She asked the government to ensure the participation of women in Fata development process to help bring change in the social fabric of tribal society.

The focal person criticised the authorities for ignoring tribal women’s opinion in decision-making process.

Sakina Bibi of Mohmand Agency said women had played a pivotal role in the country’s development and therefore, the government should give them due rights.

She said tribal women had rendered matchless sacrifices for the restoration of peace in tribal region.

Ms Sakina Bibi disagreed with the timeframe proposed for the merger of Fata with KP and demanded the complete abolishment of FCR to provide all fundamental rights to the people of Fata.

She said Fata should be given representation in the provincial assembly, while the jurisdiction of superior judiciary should be extended to the region.

Samon Masih, a minority tribal woman from Landi Kotal, Khyber Agency, demanded the construction of a church in his area to help the members of his community perform religious rituals.

Earlier, TQK convener Shahid Shah said Fata authorities didn’t address the issues facing tribal women. She urged the country’s president and KP governor to ensure the effective yet early resolution of problems of Fata women.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2016