The Grand Tribal Jirga on Sunday demanded the formation of a new province consisting of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The Jirga comprising prominent tribal elders met at Peshawar's Baghe Naran rejecting the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment that seeks the merger of the tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking on this occasion, tribal elders said the proposed amendment prepared by the lawmakers representing FATA in the National Assembly and the Senate was not acceptable as tribesmen were not taken into confidence over the proposal.
The participants opposed the 22nd Amendments aimed at merging Fata in KP, as the bill was moved by Fata parliamentarians in National Assembly in this regard. They also called for the provision of all fundamental rights by abolishing Article 247 of the constitution of the country.
The tribal Jirga suggested for the formation of permanent reforms in Fata and proposed setting up of elected councils in the tribal belt. He also asked for the separation of judiciary from the administration and deploys retired judges in FATA.
"We opposed the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill, presented in National Assembly, because it was not a feasible and workable idea and we rejected it, will never accept any cost," said Ali Marjan, a tribal leader.
He demanded local bodies elections in Fata and abolishment of Article 247 of the Constitution to let them access to the Supreme Court.
Replying to a query of posting of Additional Political Agent as Agency Judge in FATA, the participants said it is like old wine in a new bottle and an attempt to put dust in the eyes of more than 15 million tribal people .
They added that Assistant political Agent previously performed the job of judge and in a new plan the same responsibilities have been assigned to the additional PA.
The tribal leaders further said being part of the administration he cannot deliver as per wishes of the tribal people. If the reforms of the governor commission are better and suitable, why the government not implement it in other parts of the country, they questioned.
The tribesmen are loyal to their motherland and have never hesitated to lay down their lives for it therefore all basic rights should be bestowed on them, they demanded.