ISLAMABAD - Nearly a dozen FATA MNAs are all set to demand of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif their representation in ongoing peace negotiations with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The disgruntled FATA parliamentarians have decided to lodge strong protest before the Prime Minister for the fulfillment of their four demands inter alia three federal ministries in the federal cabinet.
These lawmakers had once registered their protest and walked out from the proceedings of the National Assembly (NA) alleging that the Prime Minister was continuously neglecting the issue of FATA members and not giving time for a meeting.
"Being members of FATA our representation in peace talks is imperative," said independent FATA legislator Shah G Gul Afridi while talking to The Nation.
"Despite our repeated requests the Prime Minister is not giving time for a meeting. We will register strong protest on the first day of the coming session," he added.
Sharing the list of the demands, he said that the PML-N government should give proper representation to FATA parliamentarians in the ongoing peace negotiations.
"FATA members could give their important input for peace talks but they are being ignored since the start of the negotiations," he said adding that there should be a proper tax revenue mechanism in their area.
"Political agents are illegally getting money in the name of tax revenue," he said adding that there should be some proper mechanism for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in camps. "Although we were assured to address our grievances but still Prime Minister has not given time for a meeting," he maintained.
Having almost same emotions, another FATA legislator Qaiser Jamal raised concerns about funds for their area. "There is a need to increase funds for FATA to bring reforms in education and health sectors," he said adding that they were optimistic about meeting with the Prime Minister.
The FATA MNAs including Gul Afridi, Bilal Rehman, Sajid Hussain Turi, Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Muhammad Nazir Khan, Ghalib Khan, Muhammad Jamal ud Din, Bismillah Khan, Shahab Uddin Khan, Nasir Khan and Qaiser Jamal will jointly raise their voice before the Prime Minister and in and outside the national assembly.
These MNAs strongly registered their protest in the last session of the lower house, saying that the Prime Minister was not giving them time for last eight months. However, they later ended their walkout on the assurance of some treasury benches members.