Latest news with #FederallyAdministeredTribalAreas
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI calls protest start of struggle for justice
The civil administration in Rawalpindi on Monday imposed Section 144 across the district from August 4 to August 10 ahead of the PTI's protest scheduled for today, August 5. According to a notification issued by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, public gatherings and political rallies are banned in the garrison city, whose Adiala Jail is the place where the PTI founder Imran Khan has been detained for around 2 years. Under Section 144, pillion riding on motorcycles and display of weapons are prohibited while loudspeakers cannot be used during this period. To prevent any law and order situation near Adiala Jail, a red alert has been issued and Adiala Road will be completely sealed with containers. According to the official notification, the Punjab Rangers will be deployed around the jail and the rangers will conduct joint patrols with Rawalpindi Police. Anti-riot police equipped with tear gas and batons will also be stationed at all barricades. Traffic from Kacheri to Adiala Jail and from the Chakri Motorway Interchange will be diverted to alternate routes. Legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to remove official blockades. Meanwhile, ahead of the planned protests, senior PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser issued a video message stating that on August 5, there will be protests all across the country "This is not just a protest, but the beginning of a movement. Two years ago, on this very day, the fascist government unjustly arrested Imran Khan, and for the last two years, he has remained imprisoned without due cause. "We demand justice and merit-based decisions from the judiciary. Unfortunately, after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the judiciary has practically become subordinate to the government. It is saddening to see the public's trust in the courts diminishing day by day," he added. The PTI leader asked as to what has come out of the numerous operations conducted in merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which were earlier part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). "These operations have neither brought peace nor ended unrest. Let it be clearwe will not allow any military operation on our soil. We want peace on our land. "Our demand is simple and clear: justice for Imran Khan. When justice is denied, the principle of 'might is right' prevails. A system of disbelief can survive, but a system based on oppression cannot," he added. According to Qaiser, the country is heading further into tyranny and the current rulers are sitting on power through force. He said people do not want violence, explosions, or extortion but peace, jobs, and education for our children. "The movement starting today is not just PTI's battleit is the struggle of the entire nation, for the rule of law, justice, merit, and equal rights for all citizens," he said. WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN PESHAWAR.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt begins regional Jirgas for tribal peace
A tribal jirga on Saturday once again urged the federal government to arrange for a delegation comprising representatives of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government and tribal elders to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan. The jirga hosted by K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also noted that military operations and displacement of local populations are not acceptable under any circumstances. According to an official statement, this was the first in a series of jirgas planned to be held under the auspices of the K-P government at addressing peace and security issues. Tribal elders and elected representatives from Khyber and Orakzai districts, as well as from the tribal sub-divisions of Darra Adam Khel and Hassan Khel, participated in the gathering. The jirga was attended by 150 tribal elders and leaders, six members of the provincial assembly, three members of the National Assembly, and one senator. Senior government officials including Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, and K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed were present at the event, alongside relevant commissioners, deputy commissioners, and senior officers. In a unanimous resolution, the jirga stated that there is complete unity among all stakeholders in the fight against terrorism and terrorists for the restoration of peace. However, military operations and the displacement of local populations are not acceptable. It said development is linked to peace, and once peace is restored, the pace of development must accelerate. The tribal elders recommended that the federal government arrange for a delegation to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had summoned a jirga of tribal elders in Peshawar following the killing of some protesters in Tirah last week. Five people died and 17 others sustained injuries on June 27 when protesters were fired upon during a protest outside a military installation at the Bagh Maidan area of Tirah Valley of the Khyber district against the killing of a girl. After the incident, the K-P government announced Rs10 million each in compensation for those killed and Rs2.5 million for each of the injured. The provincial government stated that it stood in solidarity with the affected families. PTI's K-P Organizational Committee, in an emergency meeting last week, strongly condemned ongoing "state violence" against peaceful citizens across the K-P, especially in the merged districts, which constituted the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) till early 2018. The committee unanimously asserted that extended military deployment under Article 245 of the Constitution has created an unchecked environment of force and ineffective accountability, violating basic rights and disrupting local peace.
Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P CM overseeing Tirah crisis: adviser
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister, has said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is personally overseeing the Tirah incident and has summoned a jirga of tribal elders in Peshawar to hear their concerns. "The CM is in constant contact with the relevant administration [to address the crisis]," Saif said in a statement on Monday. According to the adviser, the government is deeply saddened by the tragedy. Five people died and 17 others sustained injuries on Sunday when protesters were fired upon during a protest outside a military installation at the Bagh Maidan area of Tirah Valley of the Khyber district against the killing of a girl . Both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CM Gandapur condemned the shooting. "We have announced Rs10 million each in compensation for those killed and Rs2.5 million for each of the injured. The provincial government stands in solidarity with the affected families and will remain beside them during this time of grief and sorrow," he added. He said the K-P government last week convened an All Parties Conference (APC) to prevent such incidents in the future. However, he lamented that opposition parties as well as K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, boycotted the conference, displaying a non-serious behavior. Meanwhile, PTI's K-P Organizational Committee, in an emergency meeting, strongly condemned ongoing "state violence" against peaceful citizens across the K-P, especially in the merged districts, which constituted the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) till early 2018. The committee unanimously asserted that extended military deployment under Article 245 of the Constitution has created an unchecked environment of force and ineffective accountability, violating basic rights and disrupting local peace. It made a strong demand to the federal government to revoke all notifications issued under Article 245 within 15 days and to formally announce the withdrawal of military forces from the merged districts. All PTI members in the KP Assembly were instructed to immediately present a resolution based on this demand and to ensure its passage with support from other parties. The committee further directed that the K-P advocate general (AG) be instructed to file an urgent petition in the Supreme Court to lift the stay order issued on December 22, 2023, which has suspended the Peshawar High Court's ruling limiting the scope of Article 245.
Business Recorder
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Merged districts in KP: PM reiterates commitment to establishing peace and security
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated the government's commitment to establishing peace and security in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), stating that ensuring stability in the region remains a top national priority. He was speaking at a jirga convened at the Prime Minister's House, which was attended by a delegation led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The meeting focused on issues concerning law and order, governance, and development in the merged districts. In a key announcement, Sharif said that the government had decided to restore educational quotas for students from the merged districts in medical and engineering institutions. The announcement was met with appreciation by tribal elders, who described it as a significant step towards equitable access to higher education. 'It gives me great pleasure to host you today,' Sharif said while addressing the delegation. 'The tribal areas are steeped in history and tradition. The people of these regions have rendered unmatched sacrifices for the cause of national peace and security.' Sharif paid tribute to the military, police, and law enforcement agencies for their role in combating terrorism. 'Their unwavering resolve continues to be a source of strength for the country,' he remarked. Calling for unity across the political and religious spectrum, the prime minister urged all stakeholders to contribute to making Pakistan a peaceful and stable state. Outlining his government's development priorities, Sharif said a special focus was being placed on improving education, healthcare, skills training, and employment opportunities, particularly for youth in the merged districts. He announced that this year's federal development budget included allocations for the upgrading of the FATA University and improvements in police infrastructure. The prime minister also directed the expansion of the federal committee on merged districts, chaired by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Frontier Regions, Amir Muqam. The committee will now include representation from tribal elders to ensure inclusive decision making. The visiting delegation expressed appreciation for the government's efforts and welcomed the restoration of quotas and the expanded mandate of the committee. They also lauded the armed forces for their 'strategic and courageous' response during recent tensions with India. Concluding the meeting, Sharif assured the tribal elders of continued engagement and regular consultative sessions aimed at addressing the region's socio-economic challenges. The jirga was attended by federal ministers, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar, Awais Leghari, Amir Muqam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and advisers, Parvez Khattak, Dr Tauqir Shah, and others. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Grand jirga briefs Fazl on tribal concerns
A delegation representing the grand tribal jirga called on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad on Tuesday to apprise him of the prevailing situation in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The delegation expressed serious reservations over the government's committee constituted to look into matters related to FATA. During the meeting, participants held detailed discussions on the functioning and credibility of the committee, raising questions about its mandate and representation. Seeking greater engagement at the highest level, the delegation appealed to the Maulana to help arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to formally present their concerns. In this context, the delegation requested the formation of a dedicated committee to prepare for and pursue the meeting with the premier. They also urged the JUI-F chief to personally lead the committee in order to ensure their demands are communicated with the necessary weight and clarity. Responding to the request, the JUI-F supremo assured the tribal representatives of his complete support, vowing not to leave them in the lurch. "We will soon meet the prime minister and convey your concerns in clear terms," the Maulana assured the delegation, committing to take up the matter at the highest political level. It is pertinent to note that the federal committee tasked with exploring the revival of the traditional jirga system in K-P has stirred political tensions, with PTI accusing the Centre of trying to reverse the 2018 tribal merger. Formed last month for "effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism", the committee met earlier this month to chart its course. However, the meeting quickly hit political headwinds as PTI, which governs the province, alleged that the federal initiative was a veiled attempt to undo the hard-won integration of the tribal areas.
