FATA MNAs Laud Cabinet's Approval Of FRC Reforms

PESHAWAR, Mar 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Mar, 2017 ) : The lawmakers of FATA here Friday highly lauded the Federal Cabinet for granting approval to the recommendations of FATA Reforms Committee (FRC) and termed it significant step to bring FATA into mainstream be sides ending long years of neglect.

They said reforms in tribal areas were the need of the hour and the government deserved full appreciation for granting approval to the recommendations. The people of FATA are thankful to Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his government for making the dreams of Fata people comes true besides fulfilling yet another promise.

Shahghee Gul Afridi, Parliamentary Leader of Fata in National Assembly told APP the reforms in Fata was the long standing demand of tribal people that was fulfilled today by the present elected government for which it deserved full credit and appreciations.

The facilities of quality education, health, communication, speedy justice, industrialization and agriculture besides others socio-economic sectors would be improved after implementation of the reforms in tribal areas and Fata merger with KP would make it second largest province of Pakistan, he explained.

The allocation of Fata seats in Khyber Pakthunkhwa Assembly was the long standing demand of tribal people and the FRC recommendations had suggested election of tribal representatives to the KP Assembly in the 2018 general elections, paving the way for materializing this long awaited dream into reality.

Shahghee Gul also welcomed reforms about introduction of local bodies system in Fata, saying LG polls after 2018 general elections would help address problems of local people at their doorsteps besides expediting pace of development.

Gul also hailed recommendations regarding repealing of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and replacing it with a new Rewaj Regulation for Tribal Areas. He said extension of jurisdiction of Supreme Court of Pakistan and Peshawar High Court to FATA was the long standing demand of tribesmen as it would provides inexpensive and speedy justice to litigants.

He said capacity building of levy force besides creation of new posts in levy force would help maintain law and order situation in FATA. "The levy force is maintaining law and order in Malakand division excellently than it can also maintain law and order situation in Fata," he remarked.

He also hailed the decision of connecting FATA with China Pakistan Economic Corridor at suitable locations and recommendations of establishment of more branches of banks in FATA. Sajid Hussain Tori, Member National Assembly (MNA) from Kurram Agency (NA 37) also welcomed Federal Cabinet's approval to FRC recommendations and termed it a landmark decision of the Federal Government that would go long way to end long deprivation of tribesmen and bring Fata into mainstream.

He said people of FATA had an immense love for Pakistan and their sacrifice/patriotism for the country was not a secret. He said replacement of the existing draconian law of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) with the new "Tribal Areas Rewaj Act besides political and judicial reforms would help provide speedy and inexpensive justice to litigants and equal rights to all.

Tori said tribal people had suffered a lot during last 70 years and time has come to implement the reforms with speed for their socio-economic development besides expediting development activities in FATA to bring it at par with developed parts of the country.

Former KP Governor Engr Shaukat Ullah also hailed the decisions of Federal Cabinet for granting approval to the recommendations of FRC and termed it a right decision in the prevailing situation. He suggested quick implementation of the reforms and amendments in Article 246 and 247 of the Constitution, which deal with Fata and abolition of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).