KHAR: The Jamaat-i-Islami on Saturday expressed dismay over delay in implementation of the reforms package in the tribal area, and urged the federal government to expedite the process without delay.

The JI is concerned over unnecessary delay in implementation of the reforms package in the tribal areas, and we request the federal government to implement the package without delay so the people of tribal areas could get constitutional rights,” said JI provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmed Khan while addressing oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected office-bearers of the party’s Bajaur chapter.

He said the JI was determined to replace colonial Frontier Crime Regulation in Fata with the country’s regular laws as the FCR was the mother of all evils in the region.

He said repeal of FCR and extending constitutional rights to Fata was essential for durable peace and socioeconomic development of tribal areas. The JI has decided to step up its struggle to force the federal government to implement the reforms in Fata with immediate effect, he added.

Mr Khan rejected the government’s plan to merge Fata with KP in a 10-year period, and urged the centre to implement the merger plan immediately to end ‘sense of deprivation’ among tribal people. Majority of tribesmen and political parties in Fata are in favour of their region’s merger with KP without any delay, he claimed.

Without mentioning names, the JI leader expressed concern over some leaders of religious and nationalist parties for opposing reforms in the tribal area, branding them as enemies of tribal people.

The ceremony was also addressed by JI provincial deputy chief Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed, JI Fata chief Sardar Khan, local chapter emir Qari Abdul Majeed and Sirajuddin Khan.

They called upon the leaders of political and religious parties to show unity on the issue of reforms in Fata.

The speakers also urged the federal government to include Fata in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as tribal areas deserved the most in terms of development.

They said Fata was part of the country, but unfortunately it had been ignored in development process.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2016