ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday took notice of the non-availability of courts and police in tribal areas after the 25th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
The notice was taken on an article published in the section of media that 25th Amendment in Constitution was passed by parliament and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly in haste, amending certain articles and approving the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with KP.
The FATA Interim Governance Regulation, 2018 replaced the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR). From May, there is neither police to investigate crimes nor courts are established and only political agents have been replaced with deputy commissioners, leaving the tribal areas of KP in a vacuum with no system in place. KP government is yet to take charge of the affairs of the said merged areas and provision of basic infrastructure such as public offices, including courts, is required immediately.
Taking notice of the issue, CJP Nisar fixed the matter to be heard in court on October 15 and summoned the attorney general of Pakistan, KP advocate general, secretary establishment, Peshawar High Court registrar, KP chief secretary, Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) secretary and KP IGP to appear before the court.
