ISLAMABAD: Political parties’ joint committee on Fata reforms with ten representatives, on Wednesday, asked the government to hold a referendum in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) to accertain which type of government the locals aspire.

“The legal system in Fata is very colonial. The people of the tribal areas must be given the same rights as other Pakistanis enjoy in other parts of the country. The people of Fata are still treated as subjects instead of citizens,” said Ajmal Khan Wazir, a member of the committee, while addressing a press briefing that was held here, after the committee members met a group of senators to discuss the need for Fata reforms.

Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights Afrasiab Khattak also joined the briefing and expressed their support, saying that the issue of Fata reforms would be raised.

“Only in Fata do the authorities have right to destroy people’s houses as a punishment for an alleged crime. This must be changed,” Mushahid said.

The senator also said that Fata has consistently been denied the democratic rights adding that the Reconstruction of Opportunity Zones Law has yet to be passed and false promises have been made.

Senator Afrasiab Khattak said that the senate has passed a resolution on Fata reforms. He stated that Fata has been used for strategic purposes and intentionally denied any political status.

“Fata is administered through the Frontier Crimes Regulations and civilians have no liberty to hold political rallies, same is the case with freedom of expression,” he said, adding, “If National Assembly elections can be held in Fata, then why not local government elections.”

Member of National Assembly from Fata Ayesha Gulalai said that the people of Fata were contributing to the tax net, which was not recognized by the political administration. She said that it was the fifth geographical unit of Pakistan and deserves a share in the National Finance Commission Award.

“The separation of powers in Fata is of utmost importance and any new local government system must empower the people and not just the political agent,” she said and added that there was a dire need for transparency among the administration of the region.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s Fata committee member, Arsallah Hoti, said that this year was very important for Afghanistan and for Fata, due to the geo-political situation. “This is the year that our 11 point reforms should be implemented,” he said.

Ajmal Khan Wazir, spokesman for political parties’ joint committee on Fata reforms, informed the media that almost ten political parties, represented in the committee, acknowledge that the people of the Fata deserve the same rights, freedom, protection and economic opportunities as all Pakistanis.

“We believe that political, economic, social and administrative reforms in the tribal areas are necessary to obtain sustainable peace and development in Fata. Therefore, to continue with unified political party efforts initiated in 2010, we have made an 11-point recommendation for reforms in the tribal areas,” he said.

He said that the committee has also had meetings with the leaders of other parties and they all agreed with the recommendations. He said that the committee had presented its reforms recommendations to Minister of States and Frontier Regions Retired Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch and also plans to meet the president, the prime minister, parliamentary committees and the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this regard.