BAJAUR, Feb 9: The Bajaur Political Alliance, an umbrella organization of all political parties, has welcomed the proposed reforms in the present system of governance in the Fata and holding of local bodies elections there.

A meeting of the alliance held here on Saturday also appreciated the government decision to give representation to the tribal areas in the provincial assembly.

Presided over by the alliance chairman, Qazi Abdul Manan, the meeting was attended by the Bajaur Agency president of PPP, Akhunzada Chatan, ANP’s Sheikh Janzada, PML’s Haji Rahat Yousaf, NAPP’s Shahabuddin, JI’s Haroon Rashid, JUI’s Maulana Mohammad Sadiq, Tehrik-i-Insaaf’s Dr Khalilur Rehman and Millat Party’s Malik Gul Jan.

The speakers said the government decision to withdraw some of the powers of political administration and holding them accountable would redress the deep-rooted grievances of the tribal people. The people of Fata have suffered miseries during the past and the reforms would go a long way in mitigating their sufferings, they added.

The implementation of devolution plan in the tribal areas would empower the people to make better decisions for their own welfare, the meeting observed, demanding that the government should initiate accountability of the political authorities of tribal areas.