ISLAMABAD: In a recent move, the outlawed Taliban in Khyber Agency and Tirah valley made it mandatory for the residents to admit their children to religious seminaries. And those desirous of giving formal education to their children are forced to pay Rs400,000 per child to the Taliban.

This was stated by Mohammad Ijaz Mohmand, the president of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Lawyers Forum, at a conference, ‘Pakistan in post-2014 geo-political regional scenario: exploiting trade and business potentials for peace building in Fata’.

The conference was organised by the Fata Research Centre here on Tuesday.

Mr Ijaz said problems for the people of Fata were continuously increasing but the government was not willing to take the issue seriously.

“People of Fata have been struggling to get democratic and fundamental rights for over 60 years but successive governments always talked about the infrastructure and economic activities and never introduced local government system in the area,” he said.

Taliban in Khyber Agency have banned formal education and are forcing people to admit their children to seminaries

Talking to Dawn, Mr Mohmand said Taliban had banned formal education in the Khyber Agency and Tirah.

“No one has the courage to speak against the Taliban. Even politicians are not ready to take up the issue in parliament. Those who want to give formal education to their children pay Rs400,000 to the Taliban after which they are allowed to send their children to schools in Peshawar,” he said.

People of Fata have been demanding an amendment to Article 247 of the constitution. He said the Supreme Court and Peshawar High Court had also ordered the provision of constitutional rights to the people of Fata.

For this, the government just has to bring an amendment bill in parliament but it is not ready to implement the court orders, he said.

Under Article 247 of the constitution, no Act of parliament applies to Fata unless the president consents to it. Only the president is authorised to amend the laws and promulgate ordinances in the tribal areas, added Mr Mohmand.

However, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir said problems in Fata can be resolved by improving the economic conditions of the area.

The minister said though there was an impression that Fata was the hotbed of extremism it can become a trade corridor for Central Asia.

“Pakistan has been considering building dry ports at Torkham Border and other areas in Fata but for that durable peace is necessary,” he said.

“If there is trade between Pakistan and the Central Asian countries, it will have a very positive impact on the development of Fata.”

When asked why President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have not so far visited Fata, Mr Dastagir said they would visit the area soon.

Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abbas Khan Afridi said people of Fata were good traders and once they got a chance to contribute to the economic activities, they would become beneficial for the country.

Danish Ambassador Jesper M. Sorensen said before coming to Pakistan a year back he also believed that Fata was the hotbed of extremism.

“But now I have learnt that not only Fata is one of the most beautiful areas of the world but also the people of the area are famous for their hospitality and social values. Denmark is the biggest donor for Afghanistan and it will continue supporting projects to provide education in Fata, especially for girls.”

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2014