K-P Assembly passes resolution on Fata merger

[shah1398]

K-P Assembly passes resolution on Fata merger
By Our Correspondents
Published: December 15, 2016

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PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly adopted a resolution in favour of merging the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The resolution, moved by PTI lawmaker Dr Haider Ali, was adopted by a majority vote.

Ambitious plan chalked out to merge FATA with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

“The house calls upon the federal government to merge the tribal areas into K-P according to the wishes of people, so that the area can reap the benefits of development,” it stated.

The house gave a resounding yes when Speaker Asad Qaiser put the resolution before it. But the resolution was opposed by JUI-F lawmakers. A JUI-F lawmaker Mufti Said Janan said the merger plan was formulated without consulting the people of Fata “who are the real stakeholders”.

“Those living in Fata are kept unaware of the plan,” Janan said. “His party wants the people of Fata to be consulted and Fata be made a separate province.” He asked the house if K-P has enough resources and capability to shoulder the burden of Fata when it is merged in it.

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) leader Sikandar Sherpao welcomed the decision of the FATA Reforms Committee and said it had reached the conclusion after holding long deliberations and discussions with all the stakeholders.

“The decision includes the consent of all stakeholders to Fata reforms, and all political parties in the country — including the people of Fata — want to make it a part of K-P,” he said. “K-P will become the second biggest province in the country after the merger of Fata in it.”

The lawmakers also protested over the federal government’s condition for foreign delegates wishing to visit the province to first acquire a no-objection certificate. They wore black armbands to lodge their protest against the federal government’s refusal to issue NOC to a delegation of the British High Commissioner which was coming to K-P for a meeting on Wednesday.

Grand Alliance opposes FATA merger with K-P

Also, the speaker in his ruling directed the K-P finance department to release oil and gas royalty and hydel profit to districts within 10 days in accordance with the law. PPP’s Muhammad Ali Shah and PTI’s Amjad Afridi raised the issue of holding back oil and gas royalty and net hydel profits of Malakand division.

The house also adopted a resolution, condemning atrocities on Muslims in Syria’s Aleppo and Rohingyas, and asked the federal government to raise the issue on every forum. The resolution was moved by JUI-F lawmaker Mufti Fazal Ghafoor and was adopted unanimously by the house.

Meanwhile, the chiefs of different tribal agencies cautioned against merging the tribal areas in K-P without taking the “real stakeholders” into confidence.

They lauded JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai for their stance over the merger issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2016.

 

[shah1398]

Meanwhile, the chiefs of different tribal agencies cautioned against merging the tribal areas in K-P without taking the “real stakeholders” into confidence.

And still we have some mindset who will do anything to prevent FATA from progressing only because of their own vested interests, while make hue and cry on plight of FATA more than anyone. Here U can see two main bigwigs openly opposing the move in the name of taking FATA people into confidence. Double standards at their best.

 

[Kambojaric]

Just do it man. The people have suffered enough under essentially colonial era legislation. There might be some initial ho ha but if we want to make sure FATA is to never be used by the enemies of our country, then the Pakistani state's writ needs to be established there.

 

[Imad.Khan]

And still we have some mindset who will do anything to prevent FATA from progressing only because of their own vested interests, while make hue and cry on plight of FATA more than anyone. Here U can see two main bigwigs openly opposing the move in the name of taking FATA people into confidence. Double standards at their best.

I understand where you are coming from, but on saying that i also agree with the JUIF law maker (never thought i would ever agree with JUIF). In my opinion there should have been a referendum in FATA, where they would have the options of either to merge with KPK or become a separate province or no change. This way we would know exactly what the people of the area prefer.

 

[I S I]

Finally something good coming out from KPK assembly.

 

[shah1398]

I understand where you are coming from, but on saying that i also agree with the JUIF law maker (never thought i would ever agree with JUIF). In my opinion there should have been a referendum in FATA, where they would have the options of either to merge with KPK or become a separate province or no change. This way we would know exactly what the people of the area prefer.

May I know what U thought I am coming from? Just for info, I belong to an area bordering Waziristan and had spent quite good amount of time in many agencies esp In North Waziristan and Malakand agencies. The main issue as portrayed here is not FCR (many will kill me for saying that) but the actual issue is that likes of JUI(F) and Mr Chakzai people are mentally held hostage to resist any change as it suits these two parties the most. The other only viable option is to make FATA a separate Province and this is a receipee for disaster as imagine more than 7 different tribes and n number of sub tribes wud be brought together. Heck even they had even hard time agreeing among themselves on an issue even inside just one tribe. Right now all 7 agencies look towards Peshawar for their issues and FATA secretariat and PA operate from there. So the transition would not affect them that much but beleive me if U go for referendum then first many people have no idea what all is this about as unfortunately their mind are held hostage by the one doing business in the name of Religion and Caste/language. There are even groups who are still want that FCR shud not be abolished.....Can U believe that? Nonetheless as per tribal traditions things are decided by Mashran and Tribal Jirga and the Tribal Jirga has already asked for merger with KP.

https://nationalnewspakistan.com/2016/08/25/govt-asked-to-merge-fata-with-kp-without-delay/

http://dailytimes.com.pk/khyber-pak...demands-abolition-of-fcr-merger-of-fata-in-kp