To lessen suffering of tribal people: Establishment of Fata council demanded

Speakers at a dialogue regarding 'Fata Reforms' have called for establishment of an independent, sovereign and elected Fata council to mitigate the suffering of tribal people and expressed that concern over not proper implementation of the amended FCR in tribal region.
The dialogue on 'Governance Issues of the Fata and Way Forward' held under auspices of Fata Reforms Movement (FRM) in collaboration with the Tribal Development Network (TDN) here at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday. They also said that the amendments in FCR were not bring any fruitful results for resolution of issues confronting the tribal society and urged the government to bring more amendments in the colonial and imperialist law.
The participants said that the proposal for creation of FATA as "Qabalistan" or merging into province was unviable and non-practical idea. They, however, said that the creation of FATA council would yield positive and constructive results for streamlining the tribal society and addressing the FATA issue.
Speakers were included Mohammad Zahir Shah Shafi, Secretary General, FRM, Nizaam Dawar, Chairman TDN, president FATA lawyers Forum, Ijaz Mohmand Advocate, General Secretary FLF Advocate Samiullah Afridi, Hassan Afridi, from PPP Sherpao, Engr. Rahmatullah, a member Waziristan Qaumi Welfare Jirga, Idress Kamal from CRSD, leaders and activists of different political parties, representative of tribal youth organisations, and members of civil society organisations.
Mohammad Zahir Shah, Secretary General, FRM speaking on the occasion said that there was dire need of the hour to bring administrative, constitution and economic reforms in FATA. He stressed for removal of Article 247 of the constitution to shelve the power of president of the Pakistan.
Shah termed that the recent amendments in FCR wasn't sufficient, saying that most of tribal people issues were unsolved despite making changes in the draconian law. He stressed for more amendments in the FCR. He also criticised that role of FATA tribunal as de-fecto, adding that the non-tribal had appointed in the tribunal. He asked the government to appoint legal experts and people from tribal areas instead of retired bureaucrats on the key position.
Hassan Afridi, from PPP Sherpao pointed out that few stakeholders were creating hurdles to obstruct FATA reforms process. He suggested that all political parties would devise a joint reforms agenda and carryout an independent referendum for long-term solution of FATA issue. Keeping in view geographical importance of tribal areas, he said that all kind of reforms in FATA could be ineffective because of presence of US-led alliance troops in Afghanistan and Pakhtuns diversification in Balochistan.