LAHORE, Dec 12: The Political Parties’ Joint Committee on Fata Reforms has sought implementation of the proposed restructuring of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas by amending the Article 247 of the Constitution and holding the local elections there.

Speaking to reporters after getting support of the Jamaat-i-Islami on Thursday, the committee members said Fata people offered unprecedented sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan and also fought for the Kashmir cause. Earlier, the committee members held a meeting with the JI leadership at Mansoora.

Jamaat-i-Islami’s Prof Ibrahim said the Fata reforms proposed by the committee after thorough deliberations included guarantee of peace, amendment to Article 247 of the Constitution, holding of local elections, comprehensive package for infrastructure with special focus on health, education and employment, future decisions of Fata by its people, extension of Pemra jurisdiction, formation of Jirga System as democratic and independent, abolition of actions in aid of civil power regulation, separation of executive and judicial powers, and ensuring safeguarding life and property of the citizens.

Asked whether the JI (along with the committee members) planned to be a mediator for talks between the government and the Taliban, Prof Ibrahim said since it was not the mandate of the committee, it didn’t want to intervene. “It’s the job of the government and we are just here to put our reforms/recommendations before the media,” he added.

He said the MQM was also member of the committee but couldn’t attend the briefing in Lahore.

JI chief Munawar Hasan said since the people of Fata had given sacrifices for Pakistan and Kashmir, they must be included in the constitutional framework of the country.

The committee stressed that the political parties must unite to ensure legal reforms for tribal people. They said the committee planned to meet the president, the prime minister and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor to discuss the reform agenda.