The Youth Parliament Pakistan on Thursday unanimously adopted a motion calling for 21st constitutional amendment to remove all constitutional hitches in provision of legal, social and political rights to the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
With Youth Speaker Sara Abdul Wadood in chair, the proceeding of the House started with prayer for recovery of ailing father of Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi who is also part of the Youth Parliament. Amir Abbas, a FATA parliamentarian from ruling Blue Party moved a motion seeking constitutional amendment to provide the FATA parliamentarians a right to legislate and bring the area at par with other parts of the country.
He said despite the 18th and 19th constitutional amendments, the government could not bring any reforms for the people of FATA, stressing the government to introduce 21st amendment. He quoted Article 247(3) of the constitution barring the Parliament from any legislation for FATA but people of the area were yet showing patience despite being deprived of social and political rights.
Memon said it is irony that the 20 parliamentarians from FATA have the powers to legislate for any part of the country but of their own. He said the constitution provides for consultation between President and jirga but it does not guide as who would comprise jirga and what powers it would enjoy.
Youth Law Minister Umer Ayaz AJK and Gilgit Baltistan cannot be compared with FATA as both have different status. He said Article 247 gives an ambiguous view of FATA, calling for legislation to reform it. Tauseef, another mover of the motion, said the Parliament needs to legislate for immediate replacement of jirga with parliamentarians for consultation.
Youth Interior Minister Hafeezullah Wazir said it is unfortunate that Constitution prohibits the representatives of FATA to legislate for their own constituencies. He lauded the support extended by the parliamentarians from Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan for constitutional amendment to provide rights to FATA people.