KHAR: Speakers at a seminar here on Friday called for extension of local government system to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas saying it is vital for provision of basic and modern facilities to tribal people.

They also demanded the early holding of local government elections in Fata.

The seminar titled ‘advocating for extension of the local government act to Fata’ was organised by NGO Kamore Development Welfare Organisation with the collaboration of the South Asia Partnership Pakistan.

Local leaders of political and religious parties, civil society members, journalists and representatives of trade unions attended the daylong event in large numbers.

Noted among them were All Bajaur Political Parties Alliance president Haji Rahat Yousaf, Haji Said Badshah of PML-Q, Aurangzeb Khan of PPP, Mohammad Sufi of Jamaat-i-Islami, social activists Habibullah Khan and Anwar Gul Yar, and Khar Traders Union Association president Haji Lali Shah.

Representatives of Kamore Development Welfare Organisation Taj Bar Khan and Jalil Khan said the seminar was organised as part of their organisation’s activities to increase awareness of the importance of local government system among Fata people.

Bajaur political activists announce demonstration outside Parliament

Haji Rahat Yousaf said first the relevant administrative functionaries were opposed to the extension of the law on local governments to Fata but ironically, most lawmakers from the region, too, later went up against positive and meaningful changes to the prevalent system of governance.

Other speakers noted that extension of the local government act to Fata was need of the hour as the local body system was not only vital for provision of basic and modern amenities of life to the people but necessary for reducing corruption in development projects as well.

They said absence of accountability and proper monitoring system for development funds were major causes of high corruption incidence in the region.

The speakers highlighted the importance of local government system for Fata people and said the system was necessary for resolution of the local population’s basic problems on their doorstep.

They said the Frontier Crimes Regulation, unlimited powers of administrative officials and absence of basic rights were the main hurdles to Fata socioeconomic development.

The speakers said the administrative functionaries and tribal lawmakers were opposed to the extension of local government act to Fata as it went against their personal interests.

The participants pledged that they would begin joint efforts to ensure provision of fundamental rights and local bodies to Fata people.

They also agreed to demonstrate outside Parliament in Islamabad to build pressure on the government for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2015

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