Political reforms: A century later, some rights for the tribals

And here are two of the several comments, all of which, amazingly, are positive!

A very brave and bold step taken by the present government. It was also the wish of FATA people which was ignored in the past. Timely and right step. Congrats to the people of FATA. Zardari Sahib this area came under direct control of the Presidency so you fulfilled the wishes of which others could not dare to attempt. So another feather in your cap and the party. Believe me, I am not a member of PPP but see things as a Third Umpire.

Though I shall vote for PTI, but I must congratulate people of FATA and commend Zardari for such a bold step for strengthening democracy and devolving power. This one step weighs more than the combined efforts of musharaf for this country, if any.( Sohaib Ibrahim email dated August 13th 2011 )

FATA stands honoured: Political activities allowed in Tribal Areas, FCR reformed

IT was indeed strange and humiliating that a vast track of land, called Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), remained neglected on constitutional, legal, political, administrative and economic fronts even after creation of Pakistan and continued to be governed through political agents and the special law known as Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) devised by the then British colonialists and local tribes way back in 1901 as per demands of that time. Every successive government from Field Marshall Ayub Khan had been doing some loud thinking regarding political reforms in FATA but these remained mere hollow slogans as no worthwhile practical steps were taken for the purpose except in 1997 when the Government of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto took the bold decision of extending the adult franchise to the region.

And now one must complement President Asif Ali Zardari who signed on Friday two landmark instruments extending Political Parties Act to FATA and reforming, to some extent, the FCR, bringing it somewhat closer to the basic norms of justice. By doing so the present Government has established yet again its capacity of far-sightedness and taking courageous decisions for the greater interests of the country. Though there would understandably be opposition to the move and some elements might try to put obstacle in its implementation but sagacity demands that the Government must implement them in letter and spirit as these measures would surely empower people of FATA and bring them into national mainstream, which is in line with the aspirations of the common man of the region. FATA deserves special attention as ever since inception of Pakistan, its people, we would dare say, proved that they were more patriotic than others, as they rendered supreme sacrifices for the cause of the country. It was pathetic that under foreign pressure we have been meting out contemptuous treatment to the people of the area during the last few years and the reforms announced on eve of Independence Day are, therefore, reflective of a change in the mindset, which augurs well for peace, security and progress in tribal region. Permission of full scale political activity in FATA would help create necessary awareness among its people about their rights and obligations while reforms in FCR, as Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani rightly pointed out, would help its people play more active role in the administrative work. Though there were differing views on FCR with some people demanding its total replacement and others suggesting minor changes but the gradual approach adopted by the Government is wiser as given the highly conservative nature of the society radical reforms would not produce the desired results. There is definitely need for extension of the country’s systems of governance including policing, revenue collection, the judiciary and parliament to the tribes but this should be done in a systematic and harmonious manner without a clash with local traditions.