PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) has called for bringing the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) into the mainstream through legal and political reforms by making appropriate amendments to the Article 247 of the Constitution so that the people of tribal regions could get their constitutional rights.

The demand was made by QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao while speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, wherein political activists from Khyber Agency, Noushad Khan and Nader Khan along with their families and friends announced joining QWP.

Flanked by the party’s Khyber Agency chairman Syed Hassan and others, Mr Sherpao said it was dire need of the hour to bring legal and political reforms in the tribal regions. For this purpose, he called for amending Article 247 of the Constitution to extend jurisdiction of the superior courts of Pakistan to Fata.

He referred to the government’s announcement for holding housing and population census next year, saying that the discrimination was made with the KP and Fata during the previous census in the country. He asked the government to hold population census in Fata instead of relying on estimated figures.

Sikandar Sherpao wants jurisdiction of superior courts extended to Fata

Welcoming the joining of political activists from Khyber Agency, he said that the decision reflected public trust in QWP, which had been raising its voice for the rights of tribal people at every forum.

About the internally displaced persons (IDPs), the QWP provincial chief demanded of the government to ensure early return of the displaced families to various tribal agencies in a dignified manner and also by paying them compensation.

He called upon the government to announce a comprehensive compensation package for terrorism- and militancy-affected tribesmen. “QWP will not tolerate any discrimination in provision of compensation or relief package for Fata IDPs,” he warned.

He said that the government shouldn’t ignore taking steps for restoration of peace in Fata, as peace in tribal region was vital for brining stability in rest parts of the country. He asked the government to adopt a holistic approach and strategy regarding development and peace in Fata.

Mr Sherpao stressed the need for full implementation of the National Action Plan. He said that the civil and military leadership was on same page to root out terrorism and extremism from the country.

Asked about the QWP alliance for forthcoming local government (LG) elections in KP, Mr Sherpao said that the district organisations had been empowered to take decision of making alliance with any political party for the polls in KP. He, however, raised the question about proposed schedule of LG polls announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan, in which according to him, local government elections would be held on May 30 in KP, while results would be announced on June 10.

He said that the 10-day gap could make controversy and doubts about transparency in the elections. He urged the ECP to review its decision and take only one or two days for announcement of the poll results.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play