Politicians, Analysts Avoid Malicious Rhetoric On FATA Merger: Abdullah Gul

Chairman, Tehreek Jawanan Pakistan (TJP) Muhammad Abdullah Hameed Gul has reminded the politicians and senior analysts of the country to avoid malicious and stark criticism over the peaceful merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Oct, 2018 ) :Chairman, Tehreek Jawanan Pakistan (TJP) Muhammad Abdullah Hameed Gul has reminded the politicians and senior analysts of the country to avoid malicious and stark criticism over the peaceful merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

In an exclusive talk with APP here on Friday, the TJP chief expressed his concerns over the narrative being publicized by various politicians and senior journalists at various forums. He said that it is pointless to make controversial contemplations creating a divide among the masses. While referring to former Senator of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) Farhatullah Babar, he said it is incomprehensible that why he dubbed the merger as a conspiracy and why he remained silent during the legislative process.

He said it is dilemma of our political system that nobody wants to bell the cat for national cause but if it happens once in a blue moon then everybody comes at daggers drawn. The politicians who are criticizing now, remained silent during the former government's tenure. They have no moral credibility to deliberate over the issue, he maintained.

He said the successful merger of FATA into KPK though a historic moment not only for the tribal people but also for the entire nation, adding more work is needed to be done. "The incorporation of FATA, no doubt has happened in a complete democratic manner but it was rather safe to conduct a referendum in the tribal areas to give voice to the local masses.

The decision was merely based on the convictions of the parliamentarians elected from FATA. It may become a bone of contention after 10, 20 or 100 years, as the decision took place haphazardly, the people of FATA might claim that the merger was imposed on them," he maintained.

Abdullah Gul said that he raised voice for the issue at every forum, and asked that opinion of the people should be given due consideration so that consensus was developed on the issue.

It would have been propitious if people of FATA were given various options in the referendum giving them the choice to create a separate FATA province, merge it into KPK or Balochistan, or continue with the old FCR system in the territory. The referendum would have settled the issue and ended the debate, he remarked.

Historically, TJP Chief said, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah conducted 'Operation Curzon' in 1948 adopting the 1901 forward policy of Lord Curzon. According to which eight cantonments from Drosh (Chitral) to Shilabagh (Chaman) were abolished within 48 hours. There was not a single soldier deployed in the area till the invasion of Soviet Union, however, after 9/11 incident the military was deployed.

The disgruntled politicians and analysts, he said, have no right to comment over the issue as they had no contribution in the creation of Pakistan. It was Quaid-e-Azam made all contributions so this issue should be resolved in line with the principles and commitments of founder of the nation made to the Musharans (Tribal Leaders).