Latest news with #TribalAreas
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JUI-F jirga also rejects committee on ex-Fata
Listen to article A tribal jirga organized by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has expressed serious reservations about a committee formed to restore the traditional jirga system in the merged tribal districts, which were earlier part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) The jirga held in Peshawar on Sunday also declared that a decision taken with regard to the merged districts without proper public representation and consultation would be unacceptable. The jirga led by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman brought together tribal elders and leaders from the merged districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Senior leaders like Maulana Jamaluddin, Maulana Abdul Rasheed, Malik Nasrullah Khan, Malik Shaheen, Malik Khan Marjan, Mufti Baitullah, Malik Nadir Manan, Abdul Khaliq Pathan, MNA Mufti Misbahuddin, Malik Shireen, and Dr GG Jamal addressed the gathering and presented key recommendations. In a statement issued by the JUI-F, the jirga expressed concern about the rising incidents of terrorism and targeted killings in the former tribal districts, and demanded urgent and effective measures to ensure peace and protect lives and property in the region. The jirga also rejected the recently proposed Mines and Minerals Bill, terming it against the interests of the tribal population and the country at large. It emphasized the need to re-engage tribal leaders and Pashtun representatives to devise a comprehensive and inclusive strategy for the region's future. The participants reiterated that no imposed solution would be acceptable in the tribal belt without the voice and will of the people Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee on the merged districts which on July 1 initiated deliberations on revival of the traditional jirga system in former Fata. These districts, earlier called agencies, were merged with the K-P in early 2018 through the 25th Constitutional Amendment. During the July 1 meeting, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam as the chairman of the committee stressed the need for an alternative justice system rooted in tribal customs but aligned with constitutional principles. The committee also decided to form a sub-committee to draft recommendations and agreed to hold its next session in the K-P's capital, Peshawar. The ANP and the PTI have already rejected the committee, which, they claim, does not represent the people of the merged districts.
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Merged districts of erstwhile tribal areas of KP: PTI rejects revival of jirga system
ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday rejected a federal committee tasked with reviving the jirga system in the merged districts of the erstwhile tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terming it unconstitutional and calling for its immediate dissolution. Speaking at a press conference, acting PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan – flanked by senior leaders Shah Farman and party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram – described the panel, led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam and constituted on June 25, as an unconstitutional intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. 'After the 25th Constitutional Amendment, full authority over the jirga system in the merged districts of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) lies with the provincial government,' Gohar said. 'There is no legal basis for this federal committee.' He added that PTI had not participated in any of the committee's meetings and the restoration of the tribal jirga system was never formally discussed. Calling the erstwhile FATA areas extremely sensitive, Gohar demanded that the federal panel be disbanded without delay. He noted PTI's strong electoral presence in the region, pointing out that five of the seven MNAs and 14 of the 17 MPAs from the erstwhile tribal areas belong to the party. Party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the federal government of unnecessary interference and claimed it had withheld over Rs70 billion in funds allocated to the former FATA. He questioned the rationale behind establishing a new jirga mechanism when one already exists. Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman said the FATA merger in 2018 was carried out to bring development to the region, and legislation was enacted to empower elected representatives from FATA. He emphasized that funds and administrative responsibilities were to be handled by elected provincial representatives, not the federal government. He also stated that a review of the now-defunct Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) was under consideration, alongside efforts to align local governance with that of Pakistan's settled areas. He added that the merger had been completed through an agreement between the federal and provincial governments. 'The tribal people were, are, and will remain who they are… we cannot change their way of life,' he said. 'The privileges granted to FATA were meant to be enhanced, not reduced,' he maintained. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Gandapur demands NFC meeting
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has written to President Asif Ali Zardari, urging him to immediately convene a meeting of the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC), citing constitutional and financial concerns linked to the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into K-P. In his letter, Gandapur emphasised that following the 25th Constitutional Amendment, the 5.7 million residents of the erstwhile FATA are now officially part of K-P. However, he stated that the financial resources allocated to these regions remain under federal control, according to Express News. "The seventh NFC Award was issued in 2010, and no adjustments have been made to reflect the changes brought about by the 25th Amendment," the chief minister wrote. He argued that continuing the seventh NFC Award without such revisions is "unconstitutional, illegal, and inappropriate." Gandapur asserted that extending the current NFC Award violates Article 160 of the Constitution as well as the provisions of the 25th Amendment. He said the extension of the outdated award is unacceptable to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who have not received their rightful share of resources. Calling for immediate action, he urged the president to ensure that the 10th NFC Commission meeting is convened without delay. He warned that the denial of constitutionally mandated rights to the merged districts is obstructing development and efforts to establish sustainable peace and stability in those areas. He also demanded that the federal government begin allocating financial resources to K-P based on the revised population figures, which now include the merged tribal districts.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Gandapur urges President Zardari to convene 10th NFC meeting
Listen to article Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has written to President Asif Ali Zardari, urging him to immediately convene a meeting of the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC), citing constitutional and financial concerns linked to the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into K-P. In his letter, Gandapur emphasised that following the 25th Constitutional Amendment, the 5.7 million residents of the erstwhile FATA are now officially part of K-P. However, he stated that the financial resources allocated to these regions remain under federal control, according to Express News. 'The seventh NFC Award was issued in 2010, and no adjustments have been made to reflect the changes brought about by the 25th Amendment,' the chief minister wrote. He argued that continuing the seventh NFC Award without such revisions is "unconstitutional, illegal, and inappropriate." Gandapur asserted that extending the current NFC Award violates Article 160 of the Constitution as well as the provisions of the 25th Amendment. He said the extension of the outdated award is unacceptable to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who have not received their rightful share of resources. Calling for immediate action, he urged the president to ensure that the 10th NFC Commission meeting is convened without delay. He warned that the denial of constitutionally mandated rights to the merged districts is obstructing development and efforts to establish sustainable peace and stability in those areas. He also demanded that the federal government begin allocating financial resources to K-P based on the revised population figures, which now include the merged tribal districts.
