An independent appellate court, headed by a high court judge, should be set up in FATA with an aim to ensure accessible justice for the people of the area.
In an interview, PML-Q Senior Vice President Ajmal Khan Wazir on Friday said the judges of the appellate court should be appointed by the Peshawar High Court chief justice. He said a three-member FATA tribunal announced in the FCR amendments should have been headed by a judge nominated by the PHC chief justice. The sense of injustice perceived by people who live under the often whimsical dictates of the political agent inspires unrest which is exploited by groups such as the Taliban. The absence of a court system also adds to this, as it helps militants and extremists gain recruits to their cause.
Hailing amendments in the FCR, he said it should have been abolished altogether. “Mere amendments will not serve the purpose, however it is a good beginning,” he added. “Human rights activists have for years been demanding a change in these laws as a means to free the people of FATA and draw them into the mainstream. The fact that this has been denied to the seven agencies located along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is undoubtedly a factor in the rise of dissent and militancy in the area,” he said. “We hope that this is a first step towards more reform for the worst element of the concept of collective justice included within the FCR has been removed.”
The Political Parties Order of 2002 extended to FATA, allowing mainstream political parties to operate freely in the region would have far reaching impact. “This is key to giving people the political and democratic rights they have sought and which could, in time, lure them away from the hold of militants. However, overall atmosphere in the area would remain a major impediment in free activities. Complete peace in FATA is imperative before starting political activities there,” he said, adding that political activities in the Tribal Areas should have been allowed much earlier. Criticising drone attacks, Wazir said persistent attacks on innocent people must be stopped. To a question, the PML-Q leader said the central leadership of the PML-Q had not taken him into confidence before supporting the FCR amendments.
Demanding an independent province for FATA, he said the people were not interested in living with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We are interested in a separate province aiming to ensure the provision of basic rights to us,” he said. PML-Q fully favours the creation of separate provinces in the country on administrative lines.
Consensus must be developed before creating separate provinces, he said. About unification of several factions of the Muslim League, Wazir said the PML-Q was trying its best to unite all leagues. “Muslim Leagues must be united for ensuring a thumping majority in the next general elections,” he said.
About the alliance with the PPP, he said the PML-Q must deliver and if not the party would be held equally responsible in failures of the government. “Before going to next elections price hike, drone attacks and corruption must be stopped,” he added.