But lack of clarity on important issues
President Mamnoon has signed off on certain proposals forreforming Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). In terms of the judicial system or lack there of in the region a ‘blend’ of judicial and traditional Jirga system is being proposed. How will an outdated
Part of the reforms is the replacement of the Levies with Police similar to how it is in Punjab and Sindh. This is a move in the right direction as it will allow a more organized and better equipped law enforcement force to improve the law and order situation in the region.
These are positive steps yet baby steps as major challenging issues still remain unaddressed. So far an unnecessary delay has been witnessed in the merging of FATA with KP. The allotted five year period to ‘mainstream’ the region before going forward with its inclusion into KP is much too long and the reasons for it being so are purely political.
Most opposition parties including the PPP and PTI want this process to start immediately but the PML-N’s allies, namely the JUI-F and PKMAP want FATA to eventually become an independent province. JUI-F has concerns that if FATA becomes a part of KP their ability to garner votes on the basis of religious clout in the area will be diminished. PKMAP wants FATA as a separate province as it helps them get more Pakhtun seats in the center. Those seats along with KP and Baluchistan seats can amount to a significant number.
FATA is shockingly underdeveloped as compared to KP. The federation has to allocate sufficient funds in order to finance much needed infrastructure projects in the region. So far there are few specifics on this vital issue.
Prime Minister Abbasi is expected to present a detailed plan on FATA reforms soon. Hopefully all major pending issues are given the attention and importance that they deserve.