PESHAWAR, June 16: The elders of four tribal agencies at a Jirga rejected the proposed representation to Fata in the NWFP Assembly and reforms in the tribal areas, stating that the proposed reforms did not match with the customs and traditions of the area.

The elders of four agencies — Khyber, North Waziristan, Bajaur and Mohmand — met here on Sunday at Peshawar Press Club and decided to immediately convene a grand tribal meeting at Jinnah Park to evolve a joint strategy against the reforms and proposed local bodies elections in Fata ( Federally Administered Tribal Areas).

Some 50 tribal Maliks and elders of the Jirga expressed anguish over the reforms proposed by the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB).

They through a unanimously resolution renounced the government’s proposal to hold local government elections in Fata, changes in the administrative set-up and amendments to the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). Through another resolution, the Jirga demanded of the government to increase the number of seats for Fata in the National Assembly.

Nawabzada Inayet Khan Kokikhel of Khyber Agency, speaking at the meeting, termed the NRB’s reforms package against the customs and traditions of Fata, saying that the bureau was oblivious of the existing social environment of the area. “It is our humble request to the government not to interfere with our system”, he maintained, adding that the so-called reforms would further complicate the situation.  

He said there was no room for the new judicial, administrative and political reforms in Fata.

Malik Khan Nazar of North Waziristan Agency warned that the people of Fata would give up collective responsibility if the government introduced any changes in their customs and traditions.

He urged the government to take elders and Maliks into confidence before introducing any reforms including amendments to the FCR.