PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday passed a resolution unanimously demanding equal rights for tribesmen, extending jurisdiction of courts to tribal belt, abolishment of FCR tribunal and representation of Fata in the provincial assembly.

The resolution was drafted and presented by Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Barrister Arshad Abdullah in the presence of a large number of lawyers belonging to Fata.

The resolution recommends to the president of Pakistan and federal government that in order to ensure that the people of Fata should fully enjoy protection and equality as an inalienable right of every citizen, the Fata inhabitants need to be treated at par with other citizens of the country.

It also recommended that the clause (7) of Article 247 of the Constitution be deleted for being in violation of the fundamental rights of citizens of the area and to extend the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts to the tribal region.

Similarly, the resolution added, to abolish the newly constituted FCR Tribunal and to establish a proper judicial forum besides giving representation to tribesmen in the provincial assembly.

As the resolution was tabled in the house, a lengthy debate started by parliamentarians arguing in its favor and against it. Those who objected to the document were of the view that the provincial assembly was not the proper forum for its presentation.