KHAR: The pro-administration elders have reiterated their stance over the proposed reforms in the tribal areas, saying they won’t accept any changes which contrasted with tribal customs and traditions.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, elders of Tharkani and Utmankhel tribes, the two main clans of Bajaur Agency, vowed to continue opposing the proposed reforms package as it was totally ‘against’ the customs and traditions of their areas.

However, they said they were ready to stop opposing the reforms if they didn’t alter the current governance system.

According to them, positive amendments were necessary in the governance system to remove some harsh sections of the FCR, but the law’s total repeal was not acceptable.

We want to repeal those sections of FCR which violate the human rights instead of its complete abolishment, they stressed.

The elders condemned leaders of various political parties for vying for replacement of FCR with the country’s regular laws.

They claimed that the governance system in Fata was better than judicial system prevailing in settled areas as it ensured provision of speedy justice to tribesmen.

They expressed the fear that the tribesmen would face a lot of problems once the judicial system was extended to the tribal areas because they were not aware about the court system.

They asked the federal government to refrain from implementing the proposed reforms package in the tribal areas because it would create law and order situation in the region.

Instead, they appealed to the government to implement Islamic laws in the tribal areas.

Elders, including Malik Abdul Nasir Khan Salarzai, Malik Hifzur Rehman, Malik Abdul Aziz Khan, Malik Abdul Qadar Khan, Malik Mohammad Ayaz Khan, Malik Sultan Zeb Khan, Malik Bahdar Shah and Malik Bakhat Shali Khan spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2017