February 07, 2018: The third radio program as part of Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on the topic of “Merger of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities.”
The program – broadcast on January 19, 2018 – discussed various constitutional rights and responsibilities that the FATA-KP merger will mean for the tribesmen.
The first in-studio guest, Alhaj Shah Jee Gul, MNA said that the sanctity of constitution and compliance with its core values were critical for access to justice and fundamental human rights. The merger of FATA with KP will foster the political and democratic participation of the tribesmen and help them fathom the criticality of adherence to rule of law. The extension of Pakistani constitution to FATA is a fundamentally essential prerequisite for social peace and cohesion in the region.
The second in-studio guest, Mr. Nasir Khan Musazai, PML-N leader said that the merger of FATA with KP was vital for peace and prosperity not only in FATA but the whole region. Mainstreaming FATA is critical for the provision of opportunities for education and socio-political and economic participation to its female residents. The entitlement of and access to the basic rights and opportunities to the people of FATA – as equal citizens – will definitely reduce the conflicts and disputes in the region. He further added that a more responsible and proactive role of provincial government and civil society would be needed to reconnect the FATA residents with the political system.
“Denial of fundamental human rights to FATA tribesmen made them more vulnerable to militancy, extremism and flouting the rule of law”, said the former governor KP, Engineer Shaukatullah on a live call.
The callers from different tribal areas were of the opinion that FCR was a challenge for the writ of the state as two parallel systems of justice could lead to instability. Tribal people have been suffering badly at the hands of this draconian law FCR.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP and FATA in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.