Zardari supports demand of Fata people for constitutional reforms

ISLAMABAD: Former President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said the Constitution recognized Federally Administrated Tribal Areas as part of the territory of Pakistan but denied fundamental rights to its people by blocking the doors of superior courts for the people of tribal areas and this dichotomy has led to a serious disconnect between tribal areas and the rest of the country that needs to be addressed.
“I had already addressed a letter to the prime minister urging him to get the constitutional amendment bill opening the doors of superior courts to the people of Fata passed from the Parliament. The bill has already been approved by the Senate standing committee representing all political parties,” he said in a statement on Tuesday through which he congratulated all political parties and people from tribal areas for holding a rally in front of the Parliament House on Monday demanding reforms in the tribal areas. He said that it was heartening to note that reformists are no longer limited to Fata but there is across the board consensus on carrying out reforms and bringing Fata under some constitutional cover. “I wish to compliment in particular the PPP ex-MNA Akhunzada Chattan and all those who organised this rally and drove home the need for reforms in Fata,” he said. He said to be durable and acceptable the reforms in Fata must be internally driven and in the first step those measures be adopted on which there is unanimity of the tribal people and a broad consensus among the political parties. He said that the reforms process undertaken by the previous government introducing changes in the FCR as well as allowing political activities in the tribal areas while at the same time respecting the customs and traditions of the people needs to be carried further forward.