ISLAMABAD: The Awami National Party (ANP) has demanded immediate
political reforms in Pakistani tribal areas to bring peace and
development in the region.
In an exclusive interview with
Online, over publication of the fresh report of International Circes
Group (ICG) regarding reforms in FATA, the ANP Information Secretary,
Zahid Khan said without political reforms in the tribal areas peace in
the region is impossible.
He said that the Political Party Act
was partially extended to FATA but political reforms are still
incomplete, adding that the FCR of colonial times is still in place and
the tribal people have no right to be elected for a provincial assembly.
“The wishes of the local people must be addressed in carrying
out the reforms. They should be allowed to be integrated with KP or
should be given the status of a separate province after assessing tribal
people’s opinion,” he said.
Zahid Khan said that as an
immediate step, a process of elections of representatives from FATA to
the provincial assembly of KP should be introduced, so that problems of
the people of tribal areas could be addressed urgently.
“But
without creating environment and condition for political activities in
FATA, political moves in the area would be difficult and the issue
should be concentrated,” he further said.
There was Malik system
in the areas and they (Malik) were either killed or intimidated, so
political process come to standstill and insecurity as well as
backwardness are ruling FATA now.
The political reforms would not only trigger peace but would also kick off development in KP and the tribal areas.
The
ANP leader said that FATA was made a buffer zone by the then imperial
power (UK) and its status remains the same even in the 21st century that
is injustice with the people, who has been deprived of basic human
rights for long.
Regarding the regional situation in connection
to reforms in the areas, he said that Afghanistan may oppose change of
status of FATA but all the regional countries should know that reforms
in the tribal areas would positively affect all of them and would bring
prosperity to all the neighboring countries.
For long ANP was demanding reforms in the areas and calling for steps for development in the tribal belt, he said.
“Now it is the time to come to action by taking concrete steps without any delay,” he concluded.
It is to be mentioned the ANP is part of the ruling party in Centre and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Online
