Peaceful and prosperous Federally Administrated Tribal Areas cannot be ensured without abolition of the draconic FCR. An increasing number of FATA residents are joining hands to demand the abolition of the FATA regulations as well as annulment or comprehensive amendment in the Article 247 of the constitution. States’ apathy towards FATA Residents’ longstanding demands for the protection of their fundamental rights by the constitution of Pakistan instead British colonial laws is nurturing the feeling of second citizens of Pakistan among them. Despite the mainstream political consensus for the reforms, the implementation failure represents a formidable challenge and demands practical steps towards political, legal and administrative reforms. These were the notions expressed by the speakers during the discussion “FCR: Need for Reforms, Challenges and Way Forward” organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad on June 28, 2014. The speakers from diverse backgrounds included Mr Malik Habib Noor Orakzai Mr. Afrasiab Khattak, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Mr. Ayaz Wazir, Mr. Ajmal Wazir, Ms. Ayesha Syed and other experts on the theme. Mr. Malik Habib Noor Orakzai (Vice Chairman MQP) Mission To fight for the rights of Fata and FRs region peoples To declare Fata as province and bring peace in Fata and FRs region To focus on education and give bright future to Fata and FRs region peoples Description In 64 years history this is the 1st Political Party of Fata and FRs region.Afetr a long time we took this initiative in the favor of Fata and FRs region peoples to unite them in one platform. MQP is my favourite and i am also worker of this party beacuse i saw honesty n true struggle for Fata Or Qabail Peoples #Dedicated To Mr MALIK HABIB NOOR ORAKZAI (VICE CHAIRMAN MQP) A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together. Mr. Ajmal Wazir from PML-Q and also a member of the Political Parties Joint Committee on FATA Reforms said that the FATA reforms committee which was formed in 2010 with the representation of 10 different mainstream political parties, reached a consensus on 11 points agenda for reforms in FATA in December 2013 and demanded that, like people of other areas of the country, the people of FATA be given legal, political, democratic and constitutional rights. The committee through its 11 points reforms agenda, demanded that peace should be maintained in FATA and basic human rights provided to all tribal citizens through an amendment to Article 247 of the Constitution; additionally, the committee asked that legislation rights be transferred from president to parliament, local body elections in FATA be held, a comprehensive development and economic package be announced, the people be entrusted with the right to decide the future of FATA, FATA be brought under the purview of Pemra and the media be given access to FATA, jirga system should be made more democratic and independent, Actions in Aid of Civil Power Regulation should be abolished, the powers of the administration and the judiciary should be separated, citizens should not be deprived of their properties, the law of inheritance be implemented and the Khasadar and Levies forces be made more professional. He said that the committee also had meetings with political parties’ leadership and the media briefings they hold to build up consensus on their reforms recommendations. Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Former Dy. Speaker, National Assembly said the all the FCR reforms activists needed to gather at one platform to mobilize bottom up pressure for the abolition of these British colonial draconic laws for the political, administrative and legal reforms in FATA. Mr. Kundi also ensured his party’s support for FATA reforms while stressing the need for moving private member bill for FCR reforms. Senator Afrasiab Khattak suggested that the process to decide the fate of FATA should be inclusive and FATA residents should be the one to make a choice and take decision for the better tomorrow of FATA. He said that despite the political consensus for FCR reforms, there is a dire need for more mobilized efforts for bringing in reforms. He further underpinned the need for working local govt. system, better funds allocation for FATA besides reviewing the services quota. Ms. Ayesha Syed, a well-known Politian and former member of National Assembly from (JI) said that peace in FATA cannot be ensured without the abolition of black laws of FCR which are contrary to the modernity. “Funds allocation for FATA is not at par with the other parts of the country”, she said while adding that the poor system of education required urgent attention from those at helm keeping the very limited opportunities for the youth of FATA to channel their energies for contribution to and participation in the national social-political life. “The FCR doesn’t even recognize the social and political emancipation of women, what to talk of property and inheritance rights?”, Ms. Ayesha said. Mr. Ijaz Momand, President FATA Lawyers Forum said that there was a dire need for the comprehensive amendment in the article 247 of the constitution of Pakistan which stated FATA as a part of Pakistan but practically its looks the opposite due to the lack of serious political will for FCR reforms. “Article 247 may either be abolished or reformed immediately”, he said while adding that the Article 247 bill should be presented in the parliament. He further stated that the States’ apathy towards FATA Residents’ longstanding demands with regard to the protection of their fundamental rights by the constitution of Pakistan instead British colonial laws is nurturing the feeling of second citizens of Pakistan among them. Mr. Ayaz Wazir, Former Ambassador, while concluding the discussion, urged practical steps in terms of mainstreaming the need for political, legal and administrative reforms and abolition of the British colonial laws in the best interest of the people of FATA. “The way forward is support from all the political parties and the political consensus”, he said while adding that the people of FATA must decide what did they need whether the abolition of FCR and article 247, merger with KP, independent province or the implementation of the constitution of Pakistan
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:55:54 +0000
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