Hundreds of political activists associated with JUI-F, JI, PML-N, NP, ANP, PPP, PTI, and TA along with their leaders and supporters participated in a rally taken out from Iqra Chowk to Bacha Khan Chowk in Landikotal bazaar on Sunday, demanding LG polls in FATA.
Speaking to the gathering at Bacha Khan Chowk, the leaders asked for removal of FCR and demanded of the federal government to announce LG polls in FATA.
Member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and former minister Sardar Hussain Babuk said that tribals should be taken on board in all decisions which directly affect FATA people. He accused FATA parliamentarians for remaining tightly lipped when the government benches were making laws for FATA.
Talking about the losses tribal people suffered in militancy Babuk said that Pashtoons’ culture and traditions were being targeted. He said, ”Our schools, madrassas, hujras, homes and other religious and cultural assets were attacked.” He added that until and unless tribals were not brought into main stream politics their poverty and deprivation could not be removed.
“All the international powers are against Pakistan and Pashtoons and making conspiracies to keep them involved in internal conflicts,” Babuk maintained.
MNA Shahji Gul Kukikhel said tribal people have rejected FATA reforms and they recommended for the political setup in tribal areas. He said they were not ready to live under FCR. The MNA urged the political parties to raise their voice for LG polls. He asked the government to repatriate all the FATA IDPs and restore peace in spirit.
Former MNA and central JI leader Haroonur Rasheed in his speech said that the days had gone when tribals were not let to hold political gatherings in FATA. He said FATA people want their social and political rights like the other Pakistani citizens. He rejected FATA councils headed by political agents and said that it would be considered as a punch on the faces of tribal people.
