ISLAMABAD – Having announced the lifting of ban on political activities in the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on the Independence Day in 2009, President Asif Ali Zardari is yet to sign a presidential order to give effect to his announcement. “Today I am announcing the permission of political activities in the Fata to bring them into the main political stream,” he had said.
Talking to Pakistan Today Akhanzada Chattan demanded of the president to issue presidential order regarding extension of PPO 2002 to FATA. “Democratization of FATA is important because terrorists are taking advantage of FATA’s isolation,” he said. Chattan said the religious parties have the access to the public from the pulpit and the restrictions, in principle, were only on the political parties.
