THE Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has been governed under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) since colonial days. Governments since the inception of Pakistan have been just paying lip-service to the problems of the Fata people.

Pakistan’s laws are not applied there. There is no jurisdiction for Pakistan and its Supreme Court. The region has been a buffer zone and undeveloped owing to neglect.

The current reform movement for the tribal areas is being delayed by the government. A few politicians have politicised Fata reforms.

The only solution is to merge Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and three per cent share be granted to it in the NFC award. The region has been badly affected by terrorism and extremism. The government should not play games with the people of the region and start reforms as early as possible.

Attaur Rahman Toorkhel

Bajaur Agency

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2017