Jamaat-e-Islami provincial ameer Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has said that they would try to convince Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman to give up his opposition over Fata's merger with KP on January 4. Addressing a press conference here, he said that a meeting of steering committee of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) would be held on January 4 wherein efforts would be made to convince Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam tribal leadership to give up their opposition on the merger.
JI leader added that a grand jirga would be organized on January 3 and invitations have been sent to pro-merger parties, tribal elders and civil society activists. He urged the federal government to stop playing hide and seek over Fata Reforms, shun ridiculing tribal people and take a bold step by passing the bill.
Flanked by JI provincial general secretary, Abdul Wasey, Fata Ameer Sardar Khan, general secretary Hassan Khan Shinwari, and provincial secretary information Jamaat Ali Shah, JI Ameer criticised the federal government for employing delaying tactics regarding implementation of Fata reforms and the merger of Fata with KP. He asked the government to immediately give constitutional and reforms package to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas peacefully.
JI provincial chief said all but two political parties had already developed consensus on the Fata issue. They all agree on merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added. He threatened to march toward Islamabad, if the Fata reforms were not implemented by the government in letter and spirit by December 31.
He fully backed the government implementation committee suggestions, now the government should muster up courage to announce merger of Fata with KP. He asked the federal government to integrate Fata with KP before the general elections 2018, and give tribal people representation in provincial assembly. Mushtaq Ahmad said that Fata-KP integration is dire need of the hour and voice of the nation.
He said the Frontier Crime Regulations would be abolished through a single presidential ordinance to pave way for merger of Fata with KP, but the federal government is unwilling to do it. JI leader said majority of political parties, tribal journalists, lawyers, Ulema, elected representatives, Maliks, youth and tribal people are in favour of the merger.
He said the government was being blackmailed by some people, who are not sincere with tribal people and have their vested interests and ulterior motives. He said that nobody can deny the deep seated relation of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the unbreakable bond between the two.