Latest steps and reforms taken by the government are leading the Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) to positive changes.
By allowing political forces to field candidates to contest polls in FATA, people from both Sunni and Shia sects are now supporting candidates irrespective of their faith and belief.
For so long, people from FATA were not allowed to vote, but in 1996 then president Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari through a presidential order promulgated a law, allowing FATA inhabitants to vote. Whereas President Asif Zardari through another presidential order extended the Political Parties Act to FATA. This historic order has been praised by people from all across the world.
Getting benefits of the act, politically motivated tribesmen have got a chance to contest polls with party symbols. A maximum number of candidates have registered their nomination papers from FATA. As many as 339 are contesting for 12 National Assembly seats from FATA. Except two constituencies, each constituency has more than 20 candidates.
The most interesting and positive development in 2013 general elections is the reconciliation between Shias and Sunnis in FATA. Since early 90s, people from both Kurram and Orakzai agencies were engaged in sectarian hostilities in which thousands of people lost their lives. Sectarian violence surged during 2008 general elections when as many as 300 people were killed in terrorism.
With commencing of existing trends of violence and militancy, sectarian violence took another turn. In fact, various groups of banned Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are either directly engaged in sectarian violence or supporting those involved in killing. Violence against Shias escalated leading to their isolation in Shia-dominated areas of Kurram and Orakzai agencies. Similar was the situation in adjoining Hangu and Kohat districts, whereas the authorities have already made the atmosphere conducive in Dera Ismail Khan and Peshawar. However, target killing of Shias continued unabated across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In the past, Shia and Sunni tribesmen have contested polls or casted votes in elections on sectarian grounds. But this time the contest is different. A number of political parties have fielded their workers and stalwarts from the National Assembly seats. In Upper Kurram Agency, 80 percent of people are Shias and rest of 20 percent are Sunnis, whereas in Lower Kurram, Sunnis are in a majority.
Hamid Hussain Turi is considered prominent amongst the politically motivated tribesmen. He is contesting polls on a Pakistan People’s Party ticket from NA-37. He is facing a number of rivals, including Hafeezullah of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Hamid is a Shia whereas Hafeezullah is a Sunni. Both claim to enjoy the support of people from both sects, which is not only unique but could bring peace to the region.
The extension of Political Parties Act to FATA is praised by leaders of all political parties. They are also considering it a milestone in tribal area’s history.
