THOUSANDS of people belonging to the tribal areasare of the opinion that in the recent census, the numerical figures presented about the population in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas is incorrect and has been understated.
The census puts Fata’s population at 55 lacs whereas the tribal sources are sure it exceeds 70 lacs. For the sake of pleading Fata’s case let us accept the 55 lacs hypothetical figure.
This population is deprived of basic human rights as Pakistan’s constitution does not apply to Fata and is not a part of Pakistan according to the law of the land.
Isn’t it ludicrous that Fata’s senators and MNAs can legislate for the rest of Pakistan but not for Fata?
It is for the first time since 1947 --and under tremendous pressure from the tribal people, particularly its youth-- that the government has agreed to implement the Sartaj Aziz committee’s recommendations of reforms. Unfortunately two political leaders are creating hurdles in these reforms.
The JUI and PKMAP insist on delaying the implementation Sartaj committee recommendations on the plea of a separate province for Fata and other reforms.
These leaders would do well not to play with the sentiments of Fata’s people. They want to become part of Pakistan immediately.
Hanif Ullah
Bajaur, FATA
(2)
LIFE in Fata is as difficult as swimming upward in a river dotted with ice, and that too in one’s birthday suit. Even this comparison still cannot aptly express the difficulties of its people.
Most people in Fata suffer from anxiety and depression owing to unemployment, poor healthcare facilities, corruption of the political administration and — most important — the perennial human rights violations on a daily basis.
The political agent is no less than a monarch from the middle ages while the federal government does not seem keen to solve Fata’s issues.
The only solution to these problems is to merge Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I request my Pakistani brothers and the media to highlight the Fata issue and ensure it is resolved now, because we refuse to live like this any longer.
Sher Rahman
Fata
Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2017