FATA Grand Jirga Demands Restoration of Tribal Areas to Former Status; Declares Tribal Merger Unconstitutional Without Consultation and Opposes the 25th Constitutional Amendment
ISLAMABAD: A representative tribal jirga has formally asked for immediate restoration of the pre-FATA status of the tribal districts, calling incorporation an unconstitutional move as it was done without proper consultation with the local tribesmen.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, the leaders of the FATA Qaumi Jirga and FATA Grand Alliance welcomed the formation of the new FATA Council and called for the historical status of FATA to be restored by bringing both Frontier Regions (FR) Kohat and Peshawar in existing administrative system.
The FATA Grand Jirga Press Conference in Islamabad was a significant event.The Press Conference of FATA Grand Jirga in Islamabad was an important event.
Rejection of the 25th Constitutional Amendment: Tribal elders categorically declared their opposition to the 25th Constitutional Amendment, demanding complete restoration of FATA’s constitutional status as it used to be before September 11 and rejecting administrative changes which had been made without their approval.
Protect Tribal Identity and Autonomy: Malik Sher Muhammad Khan and other leaders stressed that the tribes will fight for their identity, traditions, laws and autonomy; that the systematic marginalisation of the tribal elders should stop.
Supreme Court Petition and Future Course: A Combined Declaration issued during the Press Conference recalled that a constitutional petition challenging the 25th Constitutional Amendment is pending before the Supreme Court and Future Course reiterated that the fight for tribal autonomy will not end, and all decisions related to tribal affairs must be taken after consulting all tribes.