Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Reforms Bill and its Merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) discussed the FATA reforms bill, merger of FATA with KP and the way forward for an independent province of FATA.

Other points of discussion included the implementation of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and its negative impact on the people of FATA, grand Jirga of locals for reforms in FATA, stance of different political parties to mainstream FATA, referendum for FATA, merits and demerits of FATA as an independent province, peace and economic stability, available resources and its utilization, and prevailing conditions of education in the region.

Mr. Iqbal Afridi, member of Executive Committee of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Mufti Ijaz, General Secretary Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) FATA, were the in-studio guests while Mr. Shahab Uddin Khan, member of the National Assembly from Bajour Agency, shared his views through live call.

Mr. Afridi said: “FATA should be merged with KP because there is no possibility of FATA becoming independent. Each agency is lying far away from the others. In such case, it is not possible to establish a central point wherefrom all agencies can be handled.”

Mr. Ijaz said: “We should give FATA the status of an independent province so that its people have control over their own resources.”

A radio report shared details of FATA grand alliance meeting that was held few days back in Islamabad.

Five live callers participated in the show. They urged upon the federal government and legislators to streamline FATA and get rid of the draconian law of FCR.

About Sabawoon

Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.