PESHAWAR: The members of Qabail Youth Movement have strongly opposed merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and demanded that tribal people should be consulted with about the future status of Fata.

Addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, QYM president Ihsanullah said that Fata reforms became an important issue because parliament, political parties and people from different walks of life took it seriously.

He said that different opinions about future status of Fata were discussed but views of tribal people were ignored in that regard. “It is unacceptable to us. Tribal people should be asked whether they want to become of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or demand a separate province,” he added.

Flanked by QYM chairman Najeebullah, chief adviser Mohammad Tahir Mehsud, Shahid Mohmand and others, Ihsanullah said that changes came in any country with public opinion. He announced to participate in the planned protest of Fata Supreme Council in Islamabad.

“We favour reforms in Fata but we would oppose any decision against the wishes of the tribal people,” said the QYM leader.

He said the people and political leaders belonging to settled parts of the country initiated drive for merger of Fata with KP.

He said that tribal people were deliberately kept deprived of all kinds of facilities by the successive governments.

He said that government should ensure rehabilitation of displaced people besides taking steps for rebuilding of the damaged education and health infrastructure along with provision of other basic amenities to them.

Mr Ihsanullah said that there was unanimity among people about repealing of FCR but a consensus was not developed about the merger of Fata with KP. He said that Fata Youth Jirga was consisted of non-tribal people, who had no knowledge about tribal traditions and culture.

The QYM leader said that the jirga was not representing tribal people because residents of settled areas formed it for their vested interests.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2017