President Asif Ali Zardari signed two orders on Friday to amend Frontier Controlled Regulations (FRC) that would allow political activity in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
This amendment would set into motion the far reaching administrative, judicial and political reforms in the tribal areas what he had announced on the eve of Independence Day two years ago but the implementation of which had been stalled for various reasons.
The two orders signed on Friday are Amendments in the FCR (2011) and Extension of the Political Parties Order 2002 to the tribal areas just an hour after the summary to this effect was received from the prime minister.
Held in the jam packed hall of the presidency, the signing ceremony was witnessed by tribal elders drawn from all the seven tribal agencies, five frontier regions, FATA parliamentarians and provincial cabinet of KPK.
The political parties represented in the event are ANP, PML-N, JI, PPP-S, PML-Q, MQM-S, NP, PKMAP and JUI-F. The PM, federal ministers, secretaries and diplomats in Islamabad also attended the function.
The president said his head bowed in gratitude before Allah for having fulfilled yet another promise made with the people of FATA. He congratulated the tribesmen for harmonising reforms with their tribal customs and traditions
He said the legal and political reforms would rid the tribal people from a century of bondage and usher them into mainstream of national life while respecting local customs and traditions.
Excellent! Next step should be to make FATA a province or at least with same status as Gilgit- Baltistan, with a Chief minister and cabinet. There should be no Political Agent.
Amendment in FCR is another feather in the cap of Pakistan Peoples Party, following provincial autonomy, Giving Gilgit Baltistan status of a province and several other. The reforms in FCR carry immense importance for the people of FATA to bring the tribal areas into the national mainstream. The more than a century-old FCR is a remnant of the British Raj. Since then, the tribal areas have been administered through political agents (PAs). The amendments to the FCR have brought an end to the practice of collective responsibility and collective punishment for children, women and people over the age of 65. The people of FATA can now appeal against the decisions of the PAs. Under the old system, if an individual was accused of committing a crime, the entire tribe was penalised. It was, therefore, imperative to introduce political reforms in the tribal areas, as the tribal people are very much citizens and entitled to the same rights and privileges as enjoyed by people living in other parts of the country. The Political Parties Order 2002 will allow political parties to operate in FATA. The amendments in the FCR can be seen as a first step towards promoting moderate trends to prevail over extremism, the next step is to abolish this traditionally conservative system and If PPP clinches next election that will be no more a dream. The current regime of PPP has set new precedents by abolishing centuries old customs and laws. It is very much welcoming move by Pakistan Peoples Party that would bring political revolution in the Federal Tribal areas. Bravo PPP.
It was a good step taken by PPP Govt. The people of FATA could appeal in their civil and criminal cases to commissioner and Revision to Tribunal so i m not satisfied with this reform. similarly there should be given power to high court and supreme court be given the power to hear their appeal but it was also not given. similarly the procedure of collective responsibility is still there as it has been told that the whole tribe will not be arrested under the Collective Responsibility clause. Step-wise action will be taken – first immediate male members of family followed by sub-tribe and then by other sections of the tribe so what reform they brought. if i have not commit a crime why should i be held responsible.
FATA should eventually become PATA and later mainstreamed as part of KPK. This course is likely to harness the security issue and usher an era of much deserved / awaited socio-economic development.
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