PESHAWAR, July 20: Representatives of civil society organisations have expressed concern over reluctance of political parties to clearly announce their stance on issues concerning Federally Administered Tribal Areas and urged them to play active role for bringing an end to the bloodshed in tribal regions.

They were speaking at a meeting held under the aegis of Fata Democratic Movement (FDM) at the office of Society for Rights and Development here on Friday. The speakers talked about ‘Reforms in Fata, Political Parties Act and role of the FDM’ and urged political parties to accelerate their activities in Fata and launch initiatives for peace.

The meeting was organised by FRs CSN (Civil Society Network) with the support of Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Peshawar.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included FDM president Abdul Rahim Afridi, Raees Norat Afridi, Ijaz Afridi, Ameer Khan Akakhel, Malik Luqman Afridi from FR Peshawar, Gul Nawaz Mohmand, Shahzeb Khan Afridi, Naeem Gul Suri and FRs CSN coordinator Zar Ali Khan Afridi.

About problems being faced by internally displaced persons, they said that the government was using discriminatory policies as the IDPs from Malakand division were provided cash and other facilities while those of Fata were neglected. They demanded that the government should extend all facilities to the Fata IDPs.

Speaking on the occasion, Zar Ali Afridi said that FRs CSN was engaged in Frontier Regions to create awareness of rights among people. He said that a campaign concerning Fata reforms under the title, ‘amendments in FCR and extension of Political Parties Order 2002’ had been launched. He said that to assess impact of new reforms on people of Fata they had been consulting intellectuals, writers, lawyers, representatives of social and political organisations, women groups etc to get their point of view.

In this regard meetings were held in different areas of Frontier Regions. “We have got useful suggestions concerning the new amendments,” he said. Zar Ali said that all political parties were happy over the extension of Political Parties’ Order 2002.

FDM president Rahim Afridi claimed that their movement was the representative organisation of people of Fata and promised to work hard for the wellbeing of tribesmen. He called upon all stakeholders to accelerate activities to promote political thinking in people of Fata.

However, he questioned the sincerity of certain political parties, saying they were responsible for the backwardness of tribal areas.