The federal cabinet in its meeting on Thursday is likely to be consented on mainstreaming of FATA instead of its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as recommended by the reforms committee.
Former Supreme Court Bar president and rights activist Asma Jahangir expressed her concern regarding the future of people living in FATA here in Lahore on Thursday.
In a press statement, she said that the government’s discussion on FATA has only added to the misery of those living in the tribal areas as their political fate has been hanging in the air ever since independence. Political parties should take a decision in consultation with the people living in FATA. However, in the meantime, the Majlis-e-Shura can through ordinary legislation extend the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and Peshawar High Court to FATA.
Asma stated that this important step will bring the people of FATA in the mainstream and their fundamental rights can be protected. So far, they are deprived of basic political, economic and social rights guaranteed to other citizens of Pakistan.
“Surely, no political party opposes granting the people of FATA their rights. This can be the immediate first step in addressing the multiple disadvantages FATA citizens suffer on a daily basis,” said Asma.
