PESHAWAR: A multi-party conference on Thursday demanded of
the federal government to merge the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the light of recommendations of Sartaj Aziz
committee report and resolutions of the parliament.
Jamiat
Ulema-i-Islam-Sami had organised the conference here, which was
attended by leaders of Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and
Awami National Party, and parliamentarians from Fata and tribal elders.
Maulana Samiul Haq chaired the moot.
A joint statement
issued at the end of the conference expressed concern over delay in
implementation of the report of six-member committee, headed by Sartaj
Aziz. It said that the committee spent 11 months on the report and
sought opinion of the elders and civil society.
The
statement said that the federal cabinet, Senate and National Assembly
had approved the report while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had also
endorsed the merger plan. In addition, the mainstream political parties
and an overwhelming majority of the tribal population were also
demanding implementation of the report.
Despite that the
federal government has delayed the reforms process in the area. The
government should immediately implement the report of the committee and
adopt practical measures for the Fata-KP merger.
The
statement said that the government should focus on improvement of
health, education, drinking water and other basic infrastructure in
Fata. It said that the government should not take into consideration
opposition by few personalities and declare Fata as part of KP.
The
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, coalition
partners of PML-N in the centre, are opposing the merger plan. JI has
already announced walk from Jamrud to Islamabad on Dec 10 to protest
against delay in the merger.