Tribal Elders Demand Restoration of Former FATA Status
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Tribal elders have called for the restoration of the former constitutional status of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), opposing the 25th Constitutional Amendment and demanding greater recognition of tribal traditions, laws and autonomy.
Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, representatives of the FATA Qaumi Jirga and FATA Grand Alliance welcomed the formation of a new FATA council but insisted that the region’s previous status should be restored. They also demanded the immediate integration of FR Kohat and FR Peshawar into the existing administrative system.
The tribal leaders argued that the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been carried out without consultation with all tribal communities, which they described as unconstitutional. The FATA Grand Jirga called for the restoration of the constitutional status that existed before September 11 and announced its opposition to the 25th Constitutional Amendment.
The elders urged the government to respect tribal customs, traditional laws and autonomy, while rejecting administrative changes introduced following the constitutional amendment. They also called for an end to what they described as the marginalization of tribal elders in decisions affecting their communities.
Malik Sher Muhammad Khan said the tribal leadership would make every effort to protect its identity and autonomy.
A joint declaration issued on the occasion stated that a petition challenging the 25th Constitutional Amendment was pending before the Supreme Court.
The FATA Supreme Council stressed that decisions concerning tribal affairs should be made through consultation with all affected tribes. It reaffirmed that efforts to safeguard tribal identity, rights and autonomy would continue.
The demands reflect continuing concerns among some tribal representatives over the administrative and constitutional arrangements introduced following FATA’s merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
