PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Monday, unanimously passed a resolution to seek representation of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the house, besides calling for abolishment of the newly constituted FCR Tribunal and establishment of a proper judicial forum in the tribal areas.
Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Arshad Abdullah moved the resolution on the floor of the house. The house held its session with Deputy Speaker Khushdal Khan in the chair. Through the resolution, the KPK Assembly recommended to the President of Pakistan and Federal Government that “Parliament may enact laws for Fata, and the people of Fata may also get representation in the provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
It further said that in order to ensure that the people of tribal areas fully enjoy protection and equality, under and before the law as inalienable right of every citizen under the Constitution of Pakistan, certain measures should be adopted like treating the Fata inhabitants as other citizens of the country are treated. Besides, through the same resolution, it was also demanded that “delete clause (7) of Article 247 of the Constitution of Pakistan, being violated the fundamental rights of the citizen of the area to extend the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Court to tribal areas.
Moreover, the resolution, which was unanimously passed by the KP Assembly. also called for the abolishment of the newly constituted FCR Tribunal and the establishment of a proper judicial forum. “The Parliament may enact laws for Fata, and people of FATA may also get representation in the provincial Assembly” the resolution said.
The KPK Assembly also said that these were recommendation being forwarded to the Federal Government by this provincial assembly, as making it possible, there would be needed to pass it with 2/3 majority by the Parliament. Speaking on the occasion, PPP-S parliamentary leader, Sikandar Khan Sherpao said that tribesmen have been facing to a critical phase of their life, they have never been treated equally, their rights were ever denied to them, which he termed an injustice with them, thus, time had come to make a permanent decision regarding FATA’s future status.
PML (N)’s Inayatullah Jadoon said that his party was also in favour of giving equal rights to the inhabitants of Fata like that of being enjoyed by residents of other provinces of the country.
He, however, posed a question that whether it was a proper forum to pass a resolution about Fata.
He said that his party had also submitted a resolution in the provincial assembly secretariat regarding new provinces, so they expected it from the provincial assembly to support it too. MPAs Israrullah Khan Gandapur, Saqib Chamkani and Habib ur rehman Tanoli also backed the resolution.
While concluding debate on the resolution, the KPK Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour said that British divided Pakhtuns as they knew that if Pakhtuns get united, then they would be unable to get them under control. It is unfortunate that still Pakhtuns live in different administrative units-Fata, Pata and settled areas. He said that traditions of the dwellers of Fata would not be changed, but actually the decision of the status of the tribal areas would also be made after consultation with tribal people, he told the house.
After a detailed discussion the resolution was passed unanimously. However, JUI-F’s lawmakers walked out of the assembly in protest saying the they were not given enough time to talk on the resolution as it was an important resolution regarding Fata’s future. Provincial ministers Arshad Abdullah and Hidayatullah later brought them back to the house.