PESHAWAR: Advisor to Prime Minister and Coordinator for FATA Engr Amir Muqam said on Monday the PML-N wanted to end discrimination with tribesmen and extend the country's laws to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
"It is up to the tribal people to decide for an independent status with their own assembly or merger with Khyber Pakthunkhwa", he said while addressing a press conference here at his residence after Naushad Khan of Charmang, a notable of Bajaur Agency, joined the PML-N.
Amir Muqam, who is also Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said he had forwarded proposals to the Federal Government about reforms in FATA's governing system, with main focus to end their sense of deprivations.
He said local government system should also be extended to the tribal areas. He, however, added that PML-N government since coming to power remained busy to settle issues like terrorism and energy crises and could not much time to FATA. He said the PML-N had a vision and solid plan to enforce in the tribal areas as Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was serious in establishing peace without shedding more blood.
The Prime Minister was personally monitoring the entire peace process underway. The development would gain momentum once peace was restored, he added.
He said the nation had mandated the present government to establish peace through dialogue. Therefore, it was pursuing this option vigorously in order to avoid further bloodbath, he added.
He said in May 2013 general elections, the PML-N secured the maximum votes from the tribal areas, with election of two members of National Assembly, while Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf could manage to win one seat.
He said the PML-N would nominate its candidate for NA-46 FATA bye-elections with consensus.
To a question about rift in PTI KPK ranks, he said the party legislators themselves had accused their government of bad governance, nepotism and one man show, and PTI chief Imran Kjhan should take notice of the matter. Almost two-third members of the PTI had expressed no-confidence in their government in KPK by forming a forward bloc, he added.
He said the PTI had been given mandate by the people of KP in May elections, therefore, it was their right to form the government in the province. The PML-N would not back any move to destabilize the PTI-led coalition government through undemocratic means, he added.
He said the PML-N could have easily formed the coalition government in the province after the elections. However, PML-N chief Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was of the opinion that since the PTI had emerged as the single largest party in the province, therefore it was PTI's right to form the government, he added.
He said the PML-N was not in contact with the PTI's forward bloc. "Neither they have approached us nor we did so," he added.
To a question, the PML-N leader said Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan would take oath as Governor of KP any time as his nomination had been approved by the party unanimously.
Earlier, Naushad Khan of Charmang formally announced joining of the PML-N along with hundreds of members of his tribe. Naushad had contested previous general elections as an independent candidate and remained third with 5000 plus votes.
Speaking on the occasion, he expressed confidence in the leadership of Muhmmad Nawaz Sharif and Amir Muqam. He decided to join the PML-N as it was the only party, which was working for the cause of the poor, he added.
Faqir Muhammad, President PML-N FATA chapter, also spoke on the occasion.
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