Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) from tehsil Bara Khyber Agency have announced to hold a long-march from Peshawar to Islamabad on October 7, against delay in the implementation of reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The PTI activists held a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, PTI leaders from constituency NA-46 of tehsil Bara, Abdul Ghani Afridi said that the federal government was not sincere in introducing reforms in Fata.
He said the rally participants would gather outside Peshawar Press club on October 7 to proceed for Islamabad via Grand Trunk Road. Later, he added, they will participate in Dharna (sit-in) in the federal capital on October 9. He informed that Fata political workers, elders, and leaders of different political parties would also participate in the rally and 'sit-in'.
Flanked by PTI workers from constituency NA-46, Mohibullah, Iftikhar Afridi, Imran Afridi, and others, Afridi said that those participating in the Long March would hold a protest demonstration outside different press clubs on their route, and they will also present their reservations over unnecessary delay in implementation of reforms in Fata. He said the PTI Central and provincial leaders will address the procession at various points on GT road.
PTI activist asked the federal government to free the tribal people from the clutches of draconian Frontier Crime Regulation Act. He said that if the FCR is better system, so it should be implemented in federal capital Islamabad and other parts of the country too. He added the Fata people had been deprived of all fundamental rights due to the presence of the black law in tribal region.
PTI leader said the time has come to rebel against FCR, as tribal people could not tolerate oppression under the system introduced in British-era. He said that the people showing opposition toward merger of Fata with KP, would not succeed in their mission, and PTI will not rest until the Fata-KP integration.
Afridi said that the education infrastructure was badly damaged during the security forces operations against terrorists in tribal region; while a large number of people displaced from various agencies of Fata. He said that tribesmen had rendered matchless sacrifices for protection of their motherland. Despite the fact, he added they are being faced with numerous difficulties for the last several years.
PTI activist said the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was inevitable in bringing prosperity, peace, and development in tribal agencies. In this regard, he urged the government to implement the reforms agenda in Fata in its true letter and spirit.