Islamabad: Merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Phukhtoonkhwa (KP) could not generate ownership among people of FATA as they feel excluded from the political and democratic process. For social and political inclusion of the people of FATA, the government should immediately hold local body elections in FATA. These were the views expressed by the speakers at the special roundtable titled “Integration of FATA into KP: The challenges ahead”, organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Thursday.
Farhatullah Babar, Former Senator from Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) said that the way and the speed in which FATA merger bill was passed raised concerns among political forces. He said that the decision by the then federal cabinet lacked consensus of all stakeholders.
Senator Nauman Wazir of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that for past 70 years people of FATA remained marginalized and not given due attention. He urged that ensuring finances for FATA should be the top priority of every political party.
Atta ur Rehman, Senator Jamiatul-Ulema-e-Islam (F), said that we still have the time to include the indigenous people of FATA in our decision making.
Afrasiab Khattak, Former Senator Awami National Party (ANP) said that FATA merger was not a big issue, however, the major challenges now is inclusion, which is social, economic and political inclusion.
Saleem Safi, Senior Journalist and Anchorperson said that the reality is that there was no system in FATA region. “After merger of FATA, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies are responsible for amendments in interim regulations and fulfill the basic needs of the people of FATA,” he added.
Munir Khan Orakzai, MNA Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) said that his party was not against the merger of FATA, instead in favor of merger. He said that the only demand of JUI-F was to consult the real stakeholders i.e. the people of FATA on conditions of merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Malik Anwar Taj MNA PTI said that century old Jirga system of alternate dispute resolution should be replaced gradually and step by step after FATA merger.
Hassan Khan, Senior Analyst said that women suffer a lot in FATA region where a woman has no right to choose her own way of life.
FATA people should not be considered as aliens, instead they should be provided constitutional rights like other parts of Pakistan.
