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Express Tribune
2 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.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JI rejects federal committee on merged districts
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has categorically rejected the federal government's committee on merged districts, led by Federal Minister Amir Muqam, calling it in violation of the Constitution of Pakistan. The party also strongly opposed any possible military operation or efforts to reverse the merger of the tribal areas under the pretext of rising lawlessness in the region. In a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Jamaat-e-Islami's Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Abdul Wasi, former senior provincial minister and Northern K-P chief Inayatullah Khan, alongside South K-P General Secretary Muhammad Zahoor Khattak and Provincial Information Secretary Noorul Wahid Jadoon, announced that the party will hold an All Parties Conference (APC) in Peshawar on July 29 to discuss the issue. The JI leadership asserted that the federal government has no authority to make major decisions regarding the merged districts following the 25th Constitutional Amendment, which integrated the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into K-P. "Any significant decision regarding the merged districts is now the constitutional prerogative of the provincial assembly," they emphasized. They urged the federal government to refrain from unconstitutional steps that could further marginalize the already underdeveloped tribal districts and instead focus on fulfilling the promises made at the time of the merger. These include ensuring the region's development and integration into the mainstream.
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
ANP denounces Jirga system restoration
PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) central spokesman Engineer Ihsanullah strongly denounced the federal government's decision to restore the Jirga system, calling it an unconstitutional and regressive step that undermines provincial autonomy, justice, and democracy. The party central spokesman Engineer Ihsanullah in a statement here on Monday stated that the decision was a direct attack on provincial autonomy and an attempt to impose a tribal system on the entire province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He argued that the 25th Constitutional Amendment, which merged FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was a historic step towards integration and however, restoring the Jirga system undermined this integration. The ANP spokesman highlighted that the judiciary and judicial system were provincial subjects under the 18th Amendment. The federal government's move to impose Jirgas on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was seen as a violation of these powers. The party's leader pointed out that Jirgas had historically been used to deny justice to women, children, and minorities, and to impose informal punishments, which was against the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution. He reminded that the Supreme Court had already declared Jirgas and their punishments illegal in a 2020 judgment. The party demanded that the federal government respect this ruling. ANP demanded immediate dissolution of the committee formed to oversee the restoration of the Jirga system. The party insisted that any reforms or changes in the judicial system should be done in consultation with the Provincial Assembly. ANP suggested modernizing district courts to provide timely justice to rural areas and establishing special judicial benches for women and minorities. ANP viewed the restoration of the Jirga system as a regressive step that would push Khyber Pakhtunkhwa back into a dark age. The party vowed to oppose this decision in every forum and reaffirmed its commitment to building a modern, just, and constitutional province. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Muqam denies move to restore FATA status
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Amir Muqam has clarified that the federal government is not separating the districtsearlier part of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata)from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, Muqam said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee on the merged districts with sincere intentions. The special committee in its inaugural session on July 1 initiated deliberations on revival of the traditional jirga system in former Fata districts, which were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province in early 2018 through the 25th Constitutional Amendment. During the July 1 meeting, 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. Explaining the background of the development, the minister said in a jirga held during Shehbaz's recent visit to the K-P, tribal elders from the merged districts told the PM about their issues. He said the PM later formed a committee which includes representatives from all relevant parties and tasked it with improving the living conditions of the people in the merged districts. He confirmed that the committee's meeting decided to consult with both current and former parliamentarians on these matters but expressed regret over the opposition's decision to boycott the committee, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach for the development of these areas. He said laws could be improved but emphasized that no new constitutional amendment was being introduced. "The ruling party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is fragmented, and currently, no contacts have been made with any political group - though in politics, anything is possible," he noted. "Decisions will be made in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the merged districts. The committee will engage all stakeholders, including elected representatives, and will work through broad consultations to address tribal concerns and enhance governance in the region," he said. PTI rejects govt's FATA jirga plan The PTI rejected the federal government's "unilateral" decision to introduce reforms in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), calling it malicious and a violation of constitutional principles. Addressing a press conference at K-P House in Islamabad on Monday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the committee formed by the federal government regarding Fata is based on bad faith. "Appointing Amir Muqam as its convener proves it is merely symbolic, as he neither represents Fata nor holds the public mandate from the area," he said. Gohar pointed out that out of 17 MPAs from the merged districts, 14 belong to the PTI yet they were excluded from the committee, which, he said, is a violation of their constitutional and democratic rights. "The PTI rejects this committee and demands its immediate dissolution," he added. K-P former governor Shah Farman stated that during the Fata merger, a promise was made that development funds would be disbursed through locally elected representatives. Unfortunately, he said, that promise was not fulfilled. He noted that Fata MNAs could vote for matters concerning the entire country but not for their own regions, which is deeply regrettable. Farman warned that reviving laws like the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and restoring settled area privileges is a clear violation of the merger agreement. MNA Iqbal Afridi said globally, the principle is to first provide facilities and funds before imposing taxes. "In contrast, former Fata has been subjected to taxes without any development schemes or resources." Afridi said as a member of the SAFRON Committee, he knew that the committee never held a formal consultation changing Fata's status. Sheikh Waqas Akram said under the guise of "consultation", Fata is being targeted, and the government is trampling constitutional principles. He warned that if decisions are imposed by the government, there will be strong resistance from the people of Fata and the K-P. He said the federal government owes the people of Fata Rs700 billion, which must be fulfilled over the next three years as promised. Otherwise, it will be another betrayal. K-P Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Khan presented figures, stating that since 2018, only Rs132 billion has been given to former Fata despite a promise of Rs1,000 billion. He added that even after fencing, peace could not be restored in Fata because when a region is deprived of resources, it moves toward backwardness. At the end of the press conference, the representatives from merged districts adopted a unanimous stance, asserting that any constitutional amendment, if required, must be undertaken by the K-P provincial government. The federal government has no right to interfere. We will form our own jirga, and we will not accept any non-representative decisions, they added.
