ISLAMABAD: (APP) Parliamentary Leaders in National Assembly on Monday supported merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking on FATA reforms, Parliamentary Party leaders from Pakistan Peoples Party, Qaumi Watan Party and Awami National Party welcomed FATA reforms and pleaded that time has come to bring tribal people into mainstream.
PPPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar said, FATA reforms must reflect the opinion of people of FATA. We all desire reforms in FATA and recommend that the decision which can be taken immediately must be made for speedy dispensation.
For the purpose he proposed to issuance of notification by the President and said, all three tiers of the governments must be promoted in the tribal region.
“Let us ensure that this report is implemented and is not discarded like the previous ones,” he added.
He said steps for conduct of local government elections in FATA in 2017 must start from today with steps for creating districts in FATA and putting in place district administration.
Parliamentary Leader of Qaumi Watan Party Aftab Sherpao appreciated the effort of the government and said, the report reflects hard work done for the people of FATA.
He stated that there is no provision of referendum for FATA in the constitution and creation of a separate province. Therefore, FATA should be merged into KP as the provincial assembly has also passed two resolutions in this regard.
He called for census in FATA to ensure proper allocation of resources for the tribal people and for the local government elections, KP’s local government laws be implemented in tribal areas.
He said in civil cases the mechanism of riwaj can be considered but in criminal cases where the parties would desire right to appeal, the people should be given jurisdiction of writ.
He also proposed that in 2018 provincial assembly elections be held in FATA also and the distribution of provincial assembly seats must also be like other provinces with allocation two or three provincial assembly seats under one MNA seat.
He said FATA youth desire early decision on reforms and we also think that any delay in actions would generate controversies.