MOHMAND AGENCY - The five-member FATA Reforms Committee formed by the Prime Minister has started consultation on the reforms by visiting Ghalanai, the headquarters of Mohmand Agency.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, who heads the committee, said that government’s top priority is restoration of law and order in tribal areas.
“Prime Minster wants proper development in health, education and communication sectors where tribesmen get opportunities,” said Sartaj Aziz.
He said that after the FATA Committee’s recommendations a development era will be started in tribal areas and government will ensure a better life for FATA people.
Sartaj Aziz said, “We will introduce such reforms through which tribesmen get incentives as well as basic facilities.”
He said that all the tribesmen will be satisfied regarding FATA reforms after close consultations with them.
Sartaj Aziz was accompanied by other members of the committee, including Federal Minister Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch and Zahid Hamid, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Lt-Gen (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan.
MNA Bilal Rehman Khan was also in attendance. During the meeting several tribal notables highlighted the core issues of FATA and suggested their solution.
Nisar Momand President of ANP said FCR was a black law and therefore constitution of Pakistan should be extended to FATA as due to the present system all the infrastructures were dismantled.
He said that FATA should be included into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Some Maliks, including Attaullah Khan, Sahib Dad, Ex-Senator Abdur Rehman, former MNA Maulana Ghulam Sadiq, Zar Khan Safi, Ayaz Khan, Sayed Mehmood Jan, Maulana Abdul Haq, Muhammad Gul and Hazrat Khan supported the FCR and claimed their ancestors had framed the law.
Tribal elders welcomed the PML (N) lead government that formed such a committee for the reforms, which came to tribal areas to consult tribesmen.
They insisted that the FCR was a good law and want some reforms in the said law.
The Maliks said they wouldn’t allow anyone to abolish their centuries old customs and traditions under the garb of reforms.
They said that they want the old tribal system and want some changes in the law; “We would not allow anyone to starts new experiment in tribal areas,” they added.
Zar Khan President PML (N) Mohmand Agency suggested a separate status for FATA where constitution of the country should be extended and demanded local bodies’ election.
He also demanded a special developmental package for FATA and shares in NFC Award.
He said that shares should give in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Maliks said that they want change in the shape of roads, education, schools, hospitals we don’t want any separate province.
Ex Senator Abdur Rehman said, “Tribal areas are sensitive and situated at Pak-Afghan border and therefore we must to consider reforms in FCR.”
He said, “Separate province will create many problems for tribesmen and we should not to decide in hurry.”
On the occasion, some political party workers shouted slogans of ‘go FCR go’ and demanded the immediate abolition of the law.
Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan said that government has allocated 70 million rupees for FATA University, which will operate in the upcoming academic year very soon.
Mohmand tribesmen have played a vital role in the survival battle of Pakistan security forces have rendered sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
“It is the wish of PM to prepare of composite reforms package for tribal areas where tribesmen children get their bright future,” the governor said.
Mahtab said that now peace has been restored in tribal areas and government will initiates developmental projects in the area.
The governor said the FATA residents had been suffering for 14 years and had rendered valuable sacrifices for the country.