Pakistan unveiled a comprehensive plan to transform the status of militancy-hit Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and integrate them with the rest of the country.
Officially called as Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and inhabited by 5 million people, the area lies between Afghanistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
With its rugged mountains, ravines and thick forests, FATA provided an ideal location for militants to hide, train and attack inside Pakistan and Afghanistan across the border.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had set up a committee more than eight months ago, headed by advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, to suggest measures to reform the region.
The committee visited the seven districts of FATA, met locals, elected representatives and experts to propose reform which will end its current semi-autonomous status and change its judicial, legal, political and economic system.
Aziz told media that the trade and economic links and social and cultural consanguinity makes it appropriate to integrate FATA into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“The committee proposed investment in a 10-year-FATA Development Programme covering all the sectors; it will include development of urban centers in all the agencies,” he said.
Aziz said that the committee also proposed the holding of local government elections in 2017 and to execute up to 30 per cent of the FATA 10 Year Development Plan through the local councils.
He said economic reform would add another Rs 21 billion for development of FATA annually through the funds of federal government.
He announced to change Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) which was introduced by British in 1901.
He said the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Court shall stand extended to FATA.
At the same time the Jirga system will remain prevalent in criminal and civil disputes.
In order to address the security, 20,000 new posts of tribal police will be created.
He said an Advisory Council that includes all FATA parliamentarians will be established to advise the Governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in development and administrative matters, including the progress of the integration process of FATA.
From Agencies, Feature image courtesy dawn
