Tribal elders urge government to focus on rehabilitation of Fata

Tribal elders from various agencies of Fata have demanded from the government to take pragmatic steps for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure and restoration of sustainable peace in tribal regions before implementation of the proposed reforms agenda.
Addressing a news conference at press club here on Thursday, Malik Haji Khan Marjan Wazir, Chief Patron Fata Grand Alliance said that the authorities should focus on the return of displaced tribals in dignified manner and their rehabilitation in their respective tribal agencies, prior to bringing any change in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas through reforms. Besides, he said the pace of development projects should be accelerated along with ensuring restoration of peace in Fata.
Haji Marjan suggested that an independent Fata legislative Council or Agency should be constituted to resolve the issues of tribal people. He said that council should be given right to make legislation for future of Fata. He further said that the political agents and Fata Secretariat should be held accountable before the proposed council.
Flanked by Malik Waris Khan, Malik Abdul Razzaq, Malik Abdul Ghaffar, Malik Ahmad, Malik Attaullah, Malik Akbar Khan along with tribal elders from various agencies of Fata, he viewed that elimination of corruption could only be ensured in Fata by shelving the powers of Governor, the construction of University, medical and Engineering colleges, and post-graduate college in each tribal agency.
The tribal elder demanded that the Fata should be given six percent share in National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and equal distribution of development schemes under CPEC. However, he said if the authorities failed in resolution of issues of tribal people, then a referendum should be held to decide the future of Fata, he demanded.
Haji Marjan while commenting on constitutional amendments bill regarding merger of Fata into KP, said that some Fata parliamentarians, a group of opportunist, moved the bill in which three recommendations including separate status to Fata, merger with KP, or constitution of an independent legislative council were proposed.
He lamented that government formed committee headed by Prime Minister's Advisor Sartaj Aziz on Fata reforms comprised of non-tribal people. The committee, he added, visited entire tribal agencies and Frontier Regions which remained inconclusive about the future of tribal regions and immediately proposed the merger of Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said tribal people, in Fata Reforms committee recommendations were pronounced as rebels.
The grand alliance chief said that Sartaj Aziz led Fata reforms committee has become controversial, following its vague role in bringing change according to whims and wishes of tribal people. He said the future of millions of tribesmen could not be put to stake based on the recommendations of just four opportunist parliamentarians of Fata and asked the government to expedite development work, rehabilitation of displaced tribals and restoration of peace in Fata before bringing any change or reforms.