The future of Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) has become a hardcore issue for political forces, self styled intellectuals, technocrats and self styled tribal chieftains as almost all of them aim at political gains through the ongoing reforms being planned for the region.
Since the extension of the Political Parties Act to FATA by the government last year, almost all of leading political forces and policy makers are engaged in planning and strategies for getting benefits the revolutionary decision.
Though religious forces, particularly Jamaat-e-Islami, are frequently visiting tribal regions in connection with rallies and gatherings, entrance to FATA has become hard for leaders of ruling allied parties on security grounds.
The leadership of Pakistan People’s Party is yet to initiate steps for getting benefits of its leadership’s historical steps, while Awami National Party leaders are in contact with their tribal supporters and likeminded friends since long.
A couple of days ago, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly went a step further by demanding representation for tribesmen in provincial assembly through a resolution that was unanimously adopted.
The adoption is being followed by arguments in its favour and opposition.
Some political forces, especially the ANP and other nationalists, are clear on the future of FATA whereas the religious forces, including the JI, are confused.
These confused political forces are changing minds at different forums and levels.
A number of tribal elders, including FATA MPs who consider the British colonial system in accordance with their interests, are not only opposing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly resolution, but are even divided about its future.
Some of them demand an independent provincial status for FATA, while some favour the present status.
Nationalists circles believe that independent provincial status for FATA was not feasible politically, geographically, administrative, socially and even economically. But the tribesmen familiar and happy with the British colonial rulers inherited status believe that after merging with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their miseries could further strengthen.
Such forces arranged a gathering in Peshawar where they not only rejected the KP Assembly resolution, but even termed it part of what they called “Greater Pukhtoonistan”.
In reaction, the ANP leadership has asked its stalwarts Mohammad Afzal Khan and Latif Afridi to convene a two-day jirga in Peshawar on May 29 and 30.
The ANP has asked its stalwarts to ensure the participation of leaders and representatives from all political forces and elders, intellectuals, technocrats and other public opinion makers from all seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions in the conference.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter also announced convening a similar gathering on May 23.
Whatever might be the motive behind such gatherings, they can be considered a positive step towards building consensus regarding the future of FATA.
Neglecting FATA has benefited no one but militants and terrorists, who now have safe havens and compounds across the region.
Now is the time to decide the future of FATA, as its people deserve development opportunities like people in the rest of the country.
