FATA reform package
Dr Muhammad Khan
Main Points
THE merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan with Khyber
Pukhtunkhwa (KP) or else giving it a separate status of province
Federal Government in consultation with all political parties and stakeholders is finally
heading towards its merger with KP
Initially, this merger would be for a five years transitional period and thereafter; a
permanent solution will be sought, taking into considerations the ground realities and
extension depends upon two factors:
The will of the people and;
Surely keeping in view the outcome these five years.
The tribal areas need is its economic prosperity through peace and stability in the region
which will be attained through;
Rehabilitation of displaced people,
provision of civic facilities and;
Opportunities of economic activities in the region.
Since the US invasion in Afghanistan in October 2007, the Tribal Areas of Pakistan
have undergone a crisis situation. The military operation in all Agencies resulted into the
displacement of huge population.
In the light of forgoing military operations, however, the law and order has improved
over the years, yet the elements of stability, peace and economic prosperity are far from
being actually taken roots
Besides, the majority of the displaced people have returned back to their parent areas,
started reconstruction of their houses and business centres. However, still, there is a huge
number of the people, awaited to return back.
The Federal Government decided to bring constitutional and reform package in FATA
In November 2015, Prime Minister of Pakistan constituted a high level committee
under the Advisor on Foreign Affairs; Sartaj Aziz to prepare reform package for the
mainstreaming of the FATA. The committee under Sartaj Aziz presented the FATA
Reform Package in August 2016.
Salient features of the Reform Package
The salient of the reform package are the following:
Gradual integration in KPK
FATA will be gradually integrated into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The proposals of the reform package were debated by the Parliament. As per
the reforms, proposed, the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) will be repealed
and in lieu of this there would be a system of Jirga and Rewaj and this would
be under Tribal Areas Rewaj Act, which will be implemented in phases.
Catering the security needs of the FATA
The other salient features of this reform package are; there will be party based
local bodies’ elections, which will be held by end of 2017. While Levies
force will be beefed up with 20,000 more troops. This is primarily to
cater for the security needs of the FATA.
Documentations for Afghan citizens
Unlike the current practice, the package proposed that, Afghan citizens will
only be allowed into FATA areas once they have proper documentation.
Political parties’ opinion regarding FATA reform package
FATA Reform Package came under very severe critic in Parliament and even
by Human rights commission. The Coalition partner of the PML (N) Govt,
Moulana Fazulur Rehaman, has opposed the on many aspects.
Besides, Mahmood Khan Achakzai too opposed the bill. JUI (F) chief
proposed a referendum to decide, whether FATA people want to be part of KP
or would like to have their own separate province.
The committee proposed Supreme Court and Peshawar High Court should
extend their jurisdiction up to FATA. This aspects runs contradictory to Rewaj
Act, proposed in same reforms package.
Nevertheless, the parliamentarians belong to FATA want implementation of
the reform package and merger of FATA into KP. Following the heated debate
in Parliament, the Government of PML(N) has been able to persuade the
opposing groups within coalition and got their consent for the adoption of this
bill.
The FATA reform package, if implemented would be a major breakthrough in
the history of Pakistan. These people were ignored by successive governments
of Pakistan, thus remained under developed and educationally backward. The
reform package would enable the mainstreaming of FATA region, thus doing
away with the FCR and many ills, associated with it. Nevertheless, there has
been remarkable reduction in number of terrorists’ attacks in FATA region
and elsewhere in Pakistan. However, the decrease in numbers of terrorist
attacks does not bring complete peace, but positive social engagement,
leaving no space for miscreants and militants, would bring real peace and
economic opportunity in tribal areas.
Conclusion:
Whereas, the locals of the tribal areas are key to this all, the administration
and particularly the federal and Provincial Govt of KP need to play their roles.
The local administration must take over the areas cleared by Pak Army,
rehabilitate the internally displaced people, and create the opportunities for
the economic activities, which need to take place on priority through good
governance. Following the reform package and successful military operations,
the Tribal Areas of Pakistan can become an ideal place, provided, a dedicated
effort is undertaken for proper rehabilitation of displaced people through a
sustained peace and stability, which would surely pave the way for economic
prosperity and social harmony.
