PESHAWAR, Feb 1: Welcoming the proposed tribal reforms announced by the government, a tribal youth rally in Jamrud (Khyber Agency) on Thursday asked the government to implement reforms at the earliest.

The speakers at the rally organized by Zwan Pakhtoon Ghund (Young Pakhtoon Group) were president of the group Ikramullah Kokikhel and tribal leaders Abid Afridi, Fareed Afridi, Pir Muhammad and Sadiq Afridi.

The speakers hailed the government’s decisions including: amendment in the century-old law of Frontier Crimes Regulations; reservation of seats for Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the provincial assembly; introduction of local government system in Fata; and, the provision of right to appeal for tribal the people against the orders of the political administration.

They said that for the first time in 54 years the rights of the tribal people had been recognized by the government. They regretted that some elements were opposing the tribal reforms.

The speakers asked President General Pervez Musharraf to implement the reforms plan and announce a time frame for holding local bodies elections in Fata.

Later, the meeting formed into a procession carrying banners with slogans in support of the proposed reforms.