PESHAWAR, July 4: The Frontier Crimes Regulation Reforms Committee on Monday started clause-wise deliberation on the century-old law of FCR in force in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The special committee, chaired by former chief justice of the Peshawar High Court, Justice (retd) Mian Muhammad Ajmal, has been constituted by NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman for recommending amendments to the controversial FCR. After having a detailed review of certain provisions of the FCR, the committee decided to continue its deliberations on July 5 (Tuesday). However, the meeting agreed to consult all stakeholders, including the representatives of tribal people before finalizing its recommendations.

It is learnt that the meeting discussed seven provisions of the FCR and pointed out lacunas in them.

Some participants pointed out that the word commissioner and deputy commissioner were used in the law, whereas in the rest of the country these offices had ceased to exist after the implementation of the devolution of power and introduction of the local government system in 2001.

The participants also objected to the use of words “Pathans” and “Biluchis” in section 1(4) of the FCR. In that section it is mentioned that the sections of the FCR may be enforced only against Pathans and Biluchis, and against such other classes as the provincial government may declare to be subject thereto.

Those who attended the meeting were MNA from Kurram Agency Dr Syed Javed Hussain, ex-Senator from Khyber Agency Nawabzada Malik Inayat Khan Afridi, ex-chief secretary, NWFP, Khalid Aziz, ex-provincial secretary Sang-e-Marjan Khan, journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, lawyers Abdul Karim Mahsud and Wali Khan Afridi, additional secretary (political) of the provincial home department Manzoor Ahmad, secretary Fata security Arbab Muhammad Arif and political agent, Khyber Agency, Fida Muhammad Wazir.