Topic

Reforms Moving Forward

​Guests:

1. ​Akhunzada Chattan PPP

2. ​Advocate Sangeen Khan​

Theme

What are the successes of the FATA reforms movement? What are the ongoing challenges? Is the KP governor’s new FATA Reforms Commission a promising step? Who are the responsible actors for moving the reforms agenda forward? What are the best ways to include all relevant stakeholders—and especially FATA people themselves—in the reform process? What do the guests envision for FATA in the coming year? Are significant reforms possible? Status quo supporters argue that reforms must wait for peace first. Is this any way to move forward and progress?

Does the responsibility lie with the KP governor, the president of Pakistan, National Assembly and Senate? Or all of the above, what is stopping the parliament from presenting a constitutional amendment bill to amend Article 247? If all the political parties agree to the 11-point reforms agenda, what is stopping them from moving ahead to amend the constitution for FATA?

The program explains the details of Article 247 and the different changes to it that are being recommended. Why these changes are being recommended and that if Article 247 is correctly amended, then National Assembly and Senate would have the power to abolish FCR, implement local bodies, and extend High Court jurisdiction and anything else they can agree on in parliament.