Political and legal reforms in FATA(Report)

FATA Reforms Movement
A brief Report of Consultation on FATA
Venue: Intercon Guest House
Dated: October 20,2009
Timing: 3pm
Participants: The attendace sheet attached
Reported by: Zar Ali Khan Musazai
Mr Asad Afridi Advocate, President FATA Reforms Movement welcomed the participants for sparing the mpments from their precious time and participating in consultation on FATA.He said that FRM is neither a political party nor an NGO and it has no affiliation with any political party or organzation and it is rather a plate form for the tribal people from where they could raise their voice for the solution of their problems.Later the participants introduced themselves and thus the house was left open for discussion on Reforms in FATA. Mr. M. Zahir Shah Safi Advocate the General Secretary FRM performed as stage secretary.
Raees Norat Khan:- Tribal areas have become focus of attention across the world in the ongoing international conflict between US and other forces like Al-Qaeda etc. Foreign agencies should link the funding for the purpose with reforms in FATA. These funds should be used wisely and for the betterment end welfare of the tribal people. A large number of the innocent civilians have been killed in the ongoing military operation in the tribal areas and thousands of the people were dislocated. It is the right of the inhabitants of the FATA to make their own decisions. Political Agent system is the worst one and today it does not suite to our people. Political reforms are the need of the hour. People need human rights, democratic institutions and justice. People are no more in mood to live under this inhuman system.
Shahsawar mohmand
Article 247 excluded the tribal areas from the jurisdiction of the supreme court and High court of Pakistan. FCR failed to meet the test of compatability. British devised the regulation as an instrument of subjugating the tribes. Today this system has insulted our elders to the extent that it is now below the humanity.
Khan Habib Afridi
Tribal people are not averse to the reforms in FATA. The actual hindrances are created by the establishment itself.The bureaucracy does not like to see local government system in FATA on ht ebasis of adult franchise because of its own selfish interests. Reforms should be introduced in FATA, because it is the need of ht ehour. Administartion wants to push the tribal people backward but the tribal pashtun proved that they were politically mature.
Zartif Khan Afridi
In FATA women,s existence is still not accepted. They have no right to inherit property. Tribal society is patriarchal in nature and this is the reason that the existance of a woman is attached to the honour of a man. Minor girls and women should be stopped giving to the rival party to resolve the conflicts among the etribal pashtun. In FCR there is no provision to curb this inhuman practice. Tribal people want reforms and good governance in FATA.
Raheem Shah Advocate
Tribalism is a curse and more than an insult in 21st century. FCR should be totally abolished as it is of no use and FATA should immediately be integrated into the province of Pashtunkhwa. We need unity with Pashtun living in Peshawar and other parts of the province. Reforms is not a solution of the problem rather it will aggravate the problem further.We all are Pashtun and our identity should be like a pashtun. Tribal is nothing but it is the first step of the humanity. All the people in the world have come across this process buit today they do not recall their past with pride.
Luqman Afridi
Reforms are not the solution of our problem. FATA should be integrated with province. We are not different people. We all are called Pashtun and our identity should be of pashtun. Pashtun nation need unity and division will drag us to further destruction.FCR and tribalism are not having capability to solve our problems. We wioll win only if we get united.
Iqbal Khyberwal
FATA, Reforms Committee and Human rights commission have the done the best job for the reforms in FATA.
President Musharraf 23rd Janaury devolution plan should be implemented. Local government system sould be established and FCR shoul be provided for accountability.
Mukarram Khan Atif
Publication Act should be extended to the FATA so that the journalists belonging to FATA could be able to bring out their own newspapaers and journals.In FATA Journalists are shackled and most of the journalists working for various media channels and newspapaers do not get salary.
(The writer is the spokesman of TDF/FRM and can be reached through his cell: 03015963337, tdf.fata.network@gmail.com, www.societyrd.org_pk@gmail.com
Note: This consultation was supported by Sungi Development Foundation, Islamabad