PESHAWAR/KHAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Tuesday expressed anger at the dropping of Fata-KP merger proposal from the federal cabinet’s agenda and declared the move was tantamount to denying basic rights to the people of tribal region.

In a statement issued here, the QWP chief said the cabinet’s failure to take up the Fata-KP merger proposal in the latest meeting was a sheer injustice with tribal people and Pakhtuns living in settled areas.

He said the demand for Fata-KP merger was justifiable as it would help protect the rights of the people of the neglected tribal region.

Mr. Sherpao said the federal cabinet not discussing the merger plan had exposed the vested interests, which were hell bent upon putting that vital issue on the backburner.

He said the whole country had pinned hopes in the federal cabinet over Fata reforms but the dropping of the Fata-KP merger proposal from the cabinet’s agenda had shattered the local residents’ expectations.

Sherpao says development tantamount to denying rights to tribals

The QWP chief said the disturbing development had caused misgivings about the sincerity of the federal government about the merger.

He said the Fata people had been victims of terrorism and backwardness, which had badly affected their socioeconomic conditions.

Mr. Sherpao added that the tribal people had no representation in the provincial assembly and local bodies, while their representation in parliament was insufficient.

He said the Fata-KP merger would not only help tribal people come into the national mainstream but also prove to be instrumental in national development.

The QWP chief said terrorism and extremism had devastated tribal areas and therefore, it was the need of the hour to take effective steps for rehabilitation and compensation of the tribal people.

Mr. Sherpao said the QWP would continue fighting for the rights of tribal people.

In Khar area of Bajaur Agency, the ANP announced it would hold protest demonstrations in the federal capital and Peshawar if the proposed Fata-KP reforms weren’t approved by the federal government until the first week of the next month.

It accused the federal government of using delaying tactics regarding Fata’s future status.

During a public meeting in Nawagai area here, All Fata political Parties Alliance president Nisar Momand and ANP leaders Malik Attaullah Khan, Sheikh Jan Zada and Gul Afzal Khan said the federal government’s disinterest in Fata reforms was exposed by the dropping of the Fata-KP merger proposal from the cabinet’s agenda.

They said the centre had double standard on Fata’s future.

The speakers said the JUI-F and PMAP were behind the delay in Fata reforms though they had nothing to do with tribal areas.

They asked the government to show seriousness about reformation of the system of governance saying the local residents were sick of the colonial era system.

Score of people, including ANP workers, traders, transporters and students, attended the public meeting and shouted slogans against the JUI-F and PMAP.

Published in Dawn February 8th, 2017