Consensus among parties reached on code of conduct in Fata

The mainstream political and religious parties on Friday reached a consensus for formation of Code of Conduct in order to streamline and motivate political process in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on sustainable basis.
The consensus has been reached during a high-level meeting attended by the top office bearers of different political and religious parties and Khyber Pakthunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar here at Governor House. Different suggestions and recommendations for Code of Conduct were presented during the meeting. The participants agreed that every political party will nominate two members for holding a meeting with political agents for selection of venue where public meetings would be held and ensure security to people and speakers.
Public speeches based on hatred, enticing people against each others, harming sentiments of different schools of thoughts should be avoided. Addressing the meeting, the KP Governor said extension of political parties order 2002 was the long standing demand of people of FATA and the present democratic government has started political process in tribal areas not only to fulfil tribesmen demand but also to bring them into national mainstream of society.
"The political process in FATA is a milestone that would put it on road to progress and development. This bold initiative of the present government is a step forward for sustainable peace, democratic process and inter-faith harmony in FATA." The Governor said the objectives of holding of the meeting with political parties were to get their invaluable inputs on FATA's affairs and recent reforms introduced by PPP government. He said all the political parties were unanimous for formation of Code of Conduct for smooth and sustainable political process in tribal areas.
Kausar said the government would give level playing field to every political parties in tribal areas to carry democracy process forward. The Governor said great responsibilities are now on shoulders of political parties to participate in the political process with full enthusiasm keeping interests of country, Fata and people supreme. ANP Khyber Pakthunkhwa President, Afrasiab Khan Khattak advocated in favour of rights of freedom of speech, association and expression.
Khan said political agents should be directed not to create hurdles in way of holding of public meetings and ensure security to people and leaders. On this, the Governor said directives in this regard have already been issued to political agents. He said political agents were servants of people and urged them to bring positive changes in their attitudes for quick solution to the problems of the masses. Some of the speakers expressed strong reservations over Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations and called for its withdrawal. They also suggested more amendments in FCR. The Governor said these maters would be taken up in other meeting to be called soon.