- Its implications and beyond
In Pakistan, over seventy years into its independence, the land defined by rough terrains, extreme weathers, and a tough life, we call FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) has finally been brought into the mainstream through its merger with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. The merger, nothing less than a dream once, comes amid the passage of thirty-first amendment to the constitution of Pakistan by majorities in the National Assembly, the Senate, and the KPK Provincial Assembly respectively. Whereas the merger was welcomed by a majority of mainstream political entities, the bill, however, lacked support of elected representatives from the tribal areas who were of the opinion that instead of a merger FATA be designated as a separate province to be called Qabailistan.
Comprising seven tribal agencies, prior to its merger with KPK, FATA remained a semi-autonomous region governed by the federal government directly through the Frontier Crimes Regulations.
Bordering Afghanistan to the North-West, and Baluchistan to the South, spreading over 10,510 square miles, and hosting a population of 5,001,676, FATA’s merger not only adds considerable numbers to the existing KPK province, but also opens the door to numerous possible political, socio-economic, and security implications not just for the greater KPK now, but for Pakistan at large; and even beyond.
To talk of the political implications, the largely left out population of FATA from mainstream political activism like elsewhere in the country, with its inclusion now in the KPK, this ignored section of the society will have access not just to multiple political options, but also to express their political will through the elections process, contributing not just to the political future of KPK, but that of Pakistan. On ground political representatives would account for greater control, and initiatives of social development for the tribal population. The merger with KPK, furthermore, would mean more financial autonomy for the tribals.
The Pakistani tribal areas have remained in the limelight, and at the core of the global war on terror, and have been labelled by international powers, particularly the US, as the epicenter of violent terrorism, and extremism. Whereas the Pakistani military has had landmark successes in the war torn tribal areas, politically engaged tribal population, under the umbrella of greater KPK, would provide for a political solution to the longing menace of terrorism, and extremism; which happens to be a mandatory pre-requisite for a durable solution to the problem. A politically aware public in the tribal areas is the key to rejection of merchants of hate, and extremism.
While FATA largely remained a land uncontrolled, and untamed, it constantly served as an additive to the security vulnerabilities not just for KPK, or Pakistan, but the region as well
The political advantage will also tilt in favour of the greater KPK, as seats from tribal areas fought independently at the center would now fall in the political baskets of popular parties, adding to their political strength at both provincial and federal levels. An increase in provincial quota with respect to financial as well as job allocations for the people of greater KPK would also follow.
A strengthened political structure at the grass root level along with reasonable financial autonomy, subject to appropriate utilisation, is likely to trigger socio-economic development in tribal areas, something that has been gravely missing. The provision of basic necessities of life like quality education, affordable health, and economic opportunity to make a respectable living, etc, will make way for prosperous lives of the common tribal man, and simultaneously help in blocking the road leading to extremism, and thereafter, terrorism.
The extension of judicial set up to the tribal areas is also a welcome step which would play a pivotal role in establishing the rule of law, rather than any others, in its true essence. Provision of speedy and timely justice to this neglected part of our population will surely abate the anti-state public grievances, and serve to uphold the basic human rights standards, neglected till date.
While FATA largely remained a land uncontrolled, and untamed, it constantly served as an additive to the security vulnerabilities not just for KPK, or Pakistan, but the region as well, of which the US accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorist networks in its tribal areas. Now as a part of the KPK, however, the security situation in FATA, and its surroundings is likely to improve and sustain, courtesy greater political control, improved socio-economic status and well-being of the people, and the installation of law enforcement infrastructure at the local level. FATA’s inclusion will also make way for strict control of cross border infiltration, which will certainly prove to be a catalyst in the anti-terror drive, as Pakistan, for long, has been accusing foreign funded elements from other side of the border to be responsible for the chaos at home.
Reacting to FATA’s merger with the KPK, the Afghan government rejected the move of its neighbor and of course a primary reason for that would be the greater control over the tribal areas along with strict surveillance of cross border movement of refugees, and the anti-state elements prone to cause trouble inside Pakistan.
A greater KPK, despite all odds, is a landmark in Pakistan’s history, and coming at a critical point in time, it will certainly bear fruit in the country’s greater interest, and add to a prosperous future.