HRCP holds consultation over FATA status

While civil society representatives and political parties remain divided over the future administrative status of Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) but all unanimously demands for more reforms and giving due political and legal rights to tribesmen.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Saturday arranged a consultative workshop on existing situation of FATA in Peshawar.
In her key address before participants, Asma Jehangir backed the demand for giving due political, legal and human rights to tribesmen but she linked, “miseries and hardships of tribesmen to existing crises at Islamabad.” She observed that unless all crises in Islamabad be resolved forever no one can ensure a peaceful atmosphere and stable political process in parts of the country.
Asma said it was time for all those who believe in democracy, rule of law and supremacy of parliament to come forward to foiling all attempts against democracy in the country. She said non-democratic rulers had always backed “status quo,” not only in tribal region but throughout the country while each democratic government contributed to the tribal belt. She hoped the strengthening of the democratic process will provide tribesmen rights.
Earlier, participants offered their opinions on the FATA reforms: general framework, constitutional status and enforcement of fundamental rights, reforms in the legal system and legislation, governance and peace building. Despite different approaches almost all participants unanimously appreciated the present government for extending Political Parties Act into Tribal Areas and allowing tribesmen the right to political activism.
They hoped that through political activism, tribesmen could be in a better position of building consensus amongst them about the future status of tribal areas.
As it stands, a majority of the participants endorsed the demand to give them representation in the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Assembly to pave the ways for their induction into mainstream of politics. However, certain tribal representatives, including Mian Muneer Aurakzai said such representation in the KP assembly can only be made with the consent of tribesmen.