About 1 crore people live in 6FR regions under FATA secretariat of Islamabad yet there is not a single policeman there, because of the simple reason that it was controlled by the British before 1947 via Frontier Constabulary which was under Interior Ministry of Pakistan. After 1947 the Frontier Constabulary is exclusively for the 6FR areas, as for 7FATA Agencies there are Frontier Corps which is also known as Rangers force.
Now that the province is facing terrible incidents of terrorism daily the FC Platoons have been moved out of Pakhtunkhwa about 300 FC. Although they draw the salary from Provincial Government, they aren’t in control of any Provincial Government or IG Police but under the Federal Government. A clear indifference is demonstrated by the Interior Minister. Pakhtunkhwa has the least police force as compared to Punjab and Sindh even when Punjab has no terrorism. About 150 Platoon of FC constabulary are assigned to VIP duties protecting the diplomatic enclave, something for which they are neither trained nor equipped.
A Frontier Constabulary trooper almost wept in the diplomatic enclave Islamabad. A Punjab Police SSP was in charge of the officer posted in the Diplomatic enclave and he has taken all the money designated for these soldiers and put the money in an account which is earning him large interest. These poor troops have to face harsh weather in tents during the winters. They have no accommodation or toilets forcing them to use the empty plots for call of nature in degrading conditions. They do not have any mess facilities either.
Why is the 6FR areas becoming hideouts for terrorists? They are left unmonitored! These non-governed areas, created by the present Interior Ministry, may become a sore spot festering. We should be all aware that we are asking for trouble with this attitude. I would like to request the IM to look into the matter urgently and put a stop to it. There should be proper trained police installed in the area to curb rising incidents of terrorism.
DR ALIJA KHAN,
Peshawar, March 6.