Mainstreaming of Fata is failing to persist

The process of handing over control of the tribal areas to civilian authorities has started, paving the way for consolidation of the achievements of military operations against Taliban terrorists. In the first phase on Tuesday, the military transferred the security of Lower and Upper Dir in Malakand Division to civilian law enforcement agencies. Check posts in the area have been taken over by the police, though the military will remain on hand to assist them and control the border region to check ingress by the terrorists encamped in the neighbouring Afghan provinces. Hereon, it is for the civilian authority to implement administrative and development reforms aimed at mainstreaming of the tribal areas. As an ISPR statement following the latest corps commanders' conference noted "the key dividend [peace] remains linked to mainstreaming of Fata in line with popular sentiments." The government has been getting annoyed at such reminders in the past which, of course, would not be necessary if only things were moving in the right direction.
Unfortunately, although there exists a political consensus (with two minor exceptions) on the integration course, progress has been slow, if not erratic. The Fata Reforms Committee's recommendations for legal and administrative restructuring continue to be ignored due to opposition by two government allies, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PkMAP leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who have their own narrow interests to protect and promote. All major parties having a stake in the region's politics - PTI, ANP, PPP, and Qaumi Watan Party - have been demanding an immediate merger of Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But the government keeps dragging its feet. In the last quarter of the year gone by a National Implementation Committee was formed, headed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, to oversee legal, political and administrative reforms. So far, it has little to show for its efforts. In fact, in January the government took a reluctant step towards that end, getting the National Assembly pass a bill extending the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and Peshawar High Court to Fata, and then failed to take it to the Senate, again, because of opposition by its two friends.
It goes without saying that the people living in the tribal areas are as much entitled to fundamental rights and socio-economic development as those in the rest of the country. National security is also closely linked with peace and stability in Fata. Half-hearted implementation of the reform agenda can easily put paid to the gains made through military operations. Government leaders lose no opportunity to claim credit for restoring peace to the Taliban infested areas. The successes of military action, though, means only half of the battle has been won. A lot more needs to be done. The way forward is clearly identified by the Reforms Committee's proposals. The government must stop resort to stalling tactics and move with a sense of urgency to ensure durable peace and progress in Fata.