AFTER a 10-year mobile network interruption in South Waziristan, reports of the restoration of communication services within a fortnight is a welcome development. The move has been welcomed by the residents especially because mobile phones are the only communication conduit between families and their male relatives working abroad. Meanwhile, the military has begun rolling out rehabilitation strategies to gain the trust of tribesmen in North and South Waziristan and Khyber agencies. On Saturday, senior army officials announced the removal of 110 military posts in North and South Waziristan — a long-standing demand. Journalists travelling to both agencies under military escort were informed that only five army check posts remain operational in North Waziristan as opposed to 35 in the past. In South Waziristan, army check posts have been reduced to eight. While this region moves towards peace after having suffered the impact of a protracted war, the army should exercise caution when handing over security and border patrolling to the Frontier Constabulary. Imparting proper training to FC personnel is critical if they are to take over the military’s security mandate. Any security lapse could create a vacuum for militants to once again make inroads, reducing hard-won territorial gains.

Despite these efforts at transitioning to peace after years of conflict, reconstruction plans drawn up by the government have not taken off the ground even as displaced families return. The government must expedite matters and implement development and governance reforms. Under this agenda, raising a modern policing force to secure a perilous border region is possible with federal funding. After his recent North Waziristan visit, the prime minister should be reminded that mainstreaming Fata requires financial allocations from the centre. And critically, it necessitates expanding government services, strengthening the economy, and building social cohesion among young people. The government still has time to set the wheels into motion for initiating the reforms process even in the final weeks of its tenure.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2018