THE report, ‘Fata reforms panel heading nowhere’ ( Feb 7), is worth reading. I don’t know my destination; any road can lead me there. So many important national and provincial issues are unresolved mainly due to procrastination or due to lack of passion required for solving issues.

The writer produced a wonderful picture about the failure of reforms and confusion created on one pretext or the other. The current committee, its constitution and the ritual of going back and forth to Fata for seeking opinion of so-called elders and lungi-holders truly seem very comical.

Not a single member could be found from Fata to be on the current committee. During Raj it was mandatory that a person going to be deputed in Fata was supposed to be well-versed in local culture, could speak the native language and understand local sensibilities. Unfortunately, instead of improving and maintaining what has been left by the Raj, we undermined it and it developed into another bazaar shape.

Under the current law in Fata, the FCR, created in 1901, is more probably an anachronism in the 21st century. For example, a PhD degree-holder belonging to Fata is not authorised to attest documents and credentials of his relative. But his other near relative who might be illiterate, can do the same. Unfortunately bureaucrats who belong to Fata are intent upon keeping the old colonial structure. Fata has undergone much change since 1901 because a new educated class has emerged that wants to have a say in decision-making.

There is a need for local bodies’ elections so that the local representatives may address local issues instead of a centrally-controlled system. Going for the model, Pata will be more feasible. In that case, the local structure will be retained till preparations are made for extending the full provincial legal and administrative structure to Fata.

Shafi Afridi
Darra Adam Khel

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016