ISLAMABAD, March 9: In a rare show of unity, nine mainstream political parties here on Wednesday demanded implementation of political, social and economic reforms, including enforcement of the Political Parties Order 2002, in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

A consultation process should be initiated with the people of Fata and an economic development package be implemented in the tribal areas to bring it at a par with other parts of the country.

The demands were addressed to President Asif Ali Zardari by representatives of Awami National Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, National Party, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, PML-N, PML-Q, PPP and the PPP-Sherpao at a meeting organised by National Democratic Institute with support from the British High Commission in Islamabad.

The speakers noted that political, economic, social and administrative reforms were necessary to restore and sustain peace and development in Fata.

They agreed that the values and traditions of the local people should be respected and taken into consideration while implementing the reforms.

The resolutions passed at the meeting were announced by presidential spokesman Faratullah Babar, which called for a strong consensus on the need to move forward with the reforms.

The nine parties have joined hands to form the Political Parties Joint Committee on Fata Reforms to demonstrate their commitment to promoting a debate on the reforms throughout the country and calling for its implementation in the tribal areas.

It was decided that the committee would hold discussions with stakeholders from Fata as a way to build consensus.

Mr Babar said the joint committee believed in political, economic, social and administrative reforms to obtain sustainable peace and development in Fata.

“Lasting peace in the area is not only vital for the local residents but also necessary for the well-being of all Pakistanis,” he added. These reforms are the first step towards democracy, social justice and respect for human rights, he said.

The speakers said though discussions had been held for many years on the need for reforms but time had come to move from words to concrete actions.

It was decided that the committee would be used to find consensus on other issues as well.

The speakers acknowledged that social reforms can be implemented after the traditional form of justice and punishments were abolished in the area.

They said as a first step, Pakistani laws have to be implemented in the region, so that ordinary people can approach police or the courts of law to lodge complaints against any persons irrespective of their social standing. Dawn

Talking to , Senator Zahid Khan of the ANP said the reforms can be implemented despite the ongoing war against terror in the region.

“In the first phase, the president has to curtail the powers of political agents to pave way for political activities in Fata,” he said, adding: “We have a strong presence in Fata but all our workers are non-functional because the political agents have the powers to announce a decision or give ruling against anybody at their wish.”

“Currently the political agents can even order destruction of houses or arrest of even the family members of a person involved in politics,” the senator said. “To the political agents even holding a corner meeting can be a move to destroy peace in the region or hatch a conspiracy against a whole tribe,” he added.