Center for Research and Security Studies
Transcription

Series: Moong Qabail.

Topic: Local Bodies Elections in FATA; Need and Importance.

Date: 02-05-2014.
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Guest#1: Dr. Ashraf Ali, FRC member

Guest#2: Rehman Ullah, Senior Journalist

Report#1: Abdur Razzaq,

Report#2: Shams Mohmand,

Anchor Person: Shams Mohmand:

SUMMARY:
âFATA Reform Committee is a private organization which has conducted a comprehensive study about FATA encompassing each and every section of tribal life. According to their findings, almost all tribal people have agreed that local bodiesâ elections in FATA may end many ills in the region. It is the best possible solution to find a way out of the present worst state of affairs. Dr. Ashraf Ali Is hopeful that after the assurance of SEFRAN Minster Abdul Qadir Baluch and the resolve of the new KPK Governor, prospects for local bodiesâ elections in FATA are brighter than ever. But it is also evident that greater changes in FATA will emerge only if the people themselves take the initiative and show resilience in their demands.â

Shams: Your host Shams is here with Moong Qabail on behalf of CRSS. Our focus in this programme is FATA in general and FCR in particular. Today we are going to discuss an important topic which is a field of interest for all the people. All the people agree that it is a flagrant rejection of the constitution of Pakistan if local bodiesâ elections are not held in the country. But on the other hand why these elections are not held so far in FATA? Why local people are not given the powers to solve their petty issues? My guests for today are Dr. Ashraf Ali who is a senior correspondent with BBC and at present is working with FATA Research Council. He has issued a report recently about the same issue. We will discuss this report and its findings. I welcome him in the show. My second guest is the senior journalist Rehman Ullah working with BBC.
Dear listeners,, If you want to have your say then you can call us on 091111000101, 6006051 and 6006052.
As I said at the start, that this programme discusses problems in FATA. Dr. Ashraf Ali, my question is that why no constitution requirements are ever fulfilled in FATA?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: If we cast a bird eye view in FATA about political development, we see that after hundred years the same old out dated law is in vogue. There were some basic reasons with the British to implement it but it is strange to find it still in practice in the 21st century. One reason is that after a hundred and ten years, our government has not bothered that people are still living under this black law. It is another strange fact that all the major steps for FATA were taken y the military governments and not by the democratic governments. The need is that people of FATA themselves should stand up against this law and demand an end to FCR. My study was a step in this direction to pressurize the government and interested actors to take tangible steps.

Shams: You said that to put pressure on the government was the main purpose of your study. But I want to say that people of FATA have lived long enough under FCR. What is the reason that it cannot be changed?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: thanks to 9/11 that we are hopeful now for a change. It has become our nature that we always wait for some chance happening. People have not taken any steps while the government is also inactive. It is the duty of the government to facilitate the people but if people are not taking any step then the status quo will remain the same. If you do not take any steps then the matter will remain the same for another hundred years. Now the black hole has been opened and people are now in touch with the outside world. People of FATA have much awareness now and are familiar with the laws in outside world. They know what is civilized living. Many organizations are now active in FATA like FATA Lawyerâs Forum and the like. These activities will increase with the passage of time. Government will be compelled to listen to them.

Shams: Now Mr. Rehman Ullah, you are also related to FATA and know ell that people of FATA are now more aware about many issues. Do you think that the fake local bodiesâ elections in 2002 had any impact in FATA?

Rehman Ullah: One great advantage that emerged after these elections was that people realized that how these elections should be conducted. It was a practice that political agents appointed these councilors and people rejected it because it was only selection and no election. Now people are demanding real elections in FATA. Another result was that people realized that these elected people should have some real powers and political agents should devolve their powers. Political agent used to participate all the meetings and now people say that this body should work independently and should remain powerful. People now demand that these cancellers should be responsible to the Nazim and not political agents.

Shams: You mean that people have realized the negative aspects of that system.

Rehman Ullah: It was for the first time in FATA and people have realized that local people have the ability to lead them. It acts as nursery for the democratic practice.

Shams: Our reporter Abdur Razzaq has prepared a report about local bodies system. Let us listen to it.

REPORT: Abdur Razzaq,
Paper work has been completed by the FATA Secretariat for local bodiesâ elections in FATA but no practical steps are visible. People are demanding these elections for future progress. Banaras Khan who belongs to Landi Kotal said that political administration has failed the people in FATAâ¦
âWe need local government in FATA to solve our problems. We will be happy if these elections are held. It will devolve several powers from the executive and people will be empowered. If we remain in the same condition then we will remain in darkness.â
In 2002 and 2003 local system was devised in FATA but Banaras khan said that it was for only a few people and people had no say to elect these peopleâ¦
âIt was a fake election and people were selected. But now it will be according to the right of adult franchise and people will be popularly elected.â
Islam Gul in Khyber Agency said that after the introduction of local government system. A poor man will be able to convey his concerns easily to the people in powerâ¦.
âI may give an example that when Musharaf introduced councilor system in FATA, it brought into lime light some of the young people. Through a conspiracy the system was failed.â
He added that this system will result in the best utilization of all the funds and misappropriation will be curtailed..
âWe will reproach such people and will not elect them again. These elected people will try to prove their worth. Until money is utilized by PA, we cannot expect transparency.â
When we talked to assistant director in FATA secretariat (Local Government branch) Mr. Jahangir Khan about the same issue, he came up with the following replyâ¦
âLegislation in FATA is quite different. It has its own procedure where the summary goes to Governor and then to the president. FATA needs local bodiesâ elections but it is still not accepted. Although the draft is prepared but has not received the assent of the president.â
This was Abdur Razzaq for CRSS.

Shams: Dear listeners, you heard the report where Mr. Jahangir said that the procedure for legislation in FATA is quite tedious and long. What is the reason that FATA reforms were not implemented in 2002 and even now? But let us listen to a caller first.

Caller: This is Nasir Afridi. I want to say that our MNAs and administration comprises of all the privileged people. We will hold protest now and will go the parliament in Islamabad. When we will solve our local problems then we will go to Islamabad.

Dr. Ashraf Ali: It is a basic question which was mentioned by your reporter as well. We have consulted various people in FATA to prepare our report. We reached the conclusion that â¦.

Caller: This is Malik Gul Azam Afridi from FR Peshawar. If these elections are held then my question is that whether we will be with the federal government or provincial government?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: We asked the Minster in SEFRAN that if the people of FATA want local elections in their region and joint political reform committee has also endorsed it then what the reason for the delay is. Nobody replied us properly. Mr. Farhat ullah Babar refereed to some unseen hurdles but the present minister said that if local elections are held in other parts of the country then FATA will also experience it.

Shams: It is an encouraging statement and we hope that these elections will be held in FATA. Now if we talk about the importance of local bodies elections in FATA at present, how can it ameliorate the situation there?

Rehman Ullah: FATA is also a part of the country and are as important as for other parts of the country. People in FATA also want their problems to be solved at door step. People in FATA also want local people to have powers to solve their problems and not like MNAs who reside in Islamabad and have no presence in FATA. The beauty of local system is that people are aware about local problems and remain in the area. Our MPs at present are powerless but such local councilors will have powers and guts to solve the local issues. Nazism can take care of the health and other issues..

Caller: This is Mukamil Shah from Gul Bahar. My question is that recent election brought many good people in front from FATA. Whether the local elections in FATA will end the problems in FATA?

Shams: If local elections are held in FATA then whether it will end the problems in FATA. Will all the IDPs return?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: I think that all the problems have emerged because of the vacuum existing in FATA. Now we need a third force to bank there in FATA. If we have a local government system where people are empowered to run their own system then the situation will ameliorate. We have to convey the impression that it is a system for the local people by the local people. How will all the problems be addressed? I guess that if local people are given a chance o solve their issues rather than the MPs and bureaucracy then all the people will take interests to solve their problems.

Shams: You said that you interacted with a lot of people for your report. How far people are hopeful for change and what system do they favour in FATA? Local governance is different at each place. What are your findings?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: there are different findings according to my study. I may mention those findings about which there existed a consensus. Most of the people favoured a system as in vogue in other parts of KPK. People of FATA and KPK are not very much different and anything good for one is good for the other. But all the people agreed to hold elections at all costs. Law and order situation should not take as a pretext for delaying the election. People suggested three tires elections in FATA. This election should be at Agency council, union council and Tehsil council level. I propose that the listeners should read this study to know the real aspirations of the people in FATA. People have demanded reduction in the powers of the political administration. Taxation is another major issue discussed in this study. We have suggested a comprehensive system for taxation in FATA. FATA has great potential for taxation and has great sustainability.

Shams: Even at present a lot of taxes are collected from FATA but the system is so defective that it yields no fruit for FATA. Mr. Rehman Ullah, local bodiesâ elections create local leadership with awareness but on the other hand it is also apprehended that this system may empower militants through local bodiesâ election. Is it true?

Rehman Ullah: I think that only those people get elected who are tribal elders and people know them well. Your supposition is presented by all those people who want to postpone elections in FATA. Tribal people also disagree among themselves about regulations for FATA. They support those laws where tribal people were taken on board. I think that these are lame excuses.

Dr. Ashraf Ali: I think that if it happens then it will be a success because it will bring these militants into mainstream. It will be the success of this system. It will bring all the annoyed elements into our folds.

Rehman Ullah: there is a system where every person is judged and inquired about before participating in the election. So I do not think any unwanted element can take part in this election.

Shams: We have talked to a few elders from FATA during the launching ceremony of your study. Let us listen to their views.

REPORT: Shams
Dear listeners, I am present at the lunching ceremony of a Study by a Nongovernmental organization about FATA. Many people from FATA participated in it to discuss about the local bodies elections in FATA. They have prepared a report after thorough study in the field. I have several elders here. We will discuss this report with these people.
Mr. Atta Ullah from Kurram agency is with me. Please tell us about this study. What is your personal opinion about local bodiesâ elections in FATA and how far is it essential?

Atta Ullah: local elections are very important for a region. If we look at other countries we know that after local elections people become strengthened. Free elections are important for fyture progress in FATA. People will become conscious.

Shams: Mian Saeed is a senior journalist present here. Please brief us if FCR need amendment for local elections in FATA?

Mian Saeed: In 2002 when local elections were held in FATA, these were carried out under a presidential decree. That election was not good and was having the objective to fail the system. I think that if local elections are held properly in FATA then many of our ills will end.

Shams: I have Mufti Haneef Ullah who is a religion scholar. Many people say that FCR is in accordance with Islamic spirit. Whether it is true or not. What changes are needed in FCR?

Mufti Haneef Ullah: It is unbelievable that British would have framed a law according to Islamic principles. FCR is against Islam. Rather Law of Pakistan is near to Islamic law in many respects. I personally think that tribal people should be asked to opt for a law according to their wishes. FCR is not Islamic.

Shams: Fazal Saeed is programme manager with FRC. I want to ask him that Abdul Baluch was also here who is SEFRAN Minister. What assurance he gave you?

Fazal Saeed: We wanted that tribal people should ask themselves various questions from the minister. So we had held this gathering. All the people asked him different question. The Ministerâs response was positive and assured that whenever local elections are held in other parts of the country then FATA will not be excluded.

Shams: dear listeners, welcome back to the show. Farhat Ullah was the minister for five years and a spokesman for the president. He could do much. According to your interaction with you, what were the hurdles that he faced to do something for you?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: He agreed that local government is very essential. But he said that there were some of the obstacles where government was helpless.

Shams: Do you think that the present government which is more powerful is honest to hold local elections in FATA?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: It is quite possible that government will take no step unless we compel it to do the same. I am a little optimistic now after the peace process which is in progress. Another good thing is that SEFRAN Minister is a straight forward man and is very serious about this matter. It is our good luck that the said minister is a former military general and knows well the ground realities. People of FATA also hold a strong protest in front of him. I am hopeful that soon we will give good news to the people.

Shams: It is also said about the new Governor that he is a straight forward person and is tightening the noose around FATA Secretariat. Do you think he is serious about local elections in FATA?

Rehman Ullah: If national elections could be held in FATA then local elections are also possible. Governor of KPK is mainly responsible for FATA. When the governor belong to ruling party then his role becomes all important. We are hopeful that the present governor can play a vital role for FATA.

Shams: What kind of people you have interacted for your study?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: We wanted to have a balanced view so we invited people from all sections of FATA including youth and scholars. We also took care that people from all agencies should participate in it along with FR Regions. We also invited women from FATA.

Shams: If elections were held then what two major advantages FATA will have s a result?

Dr. Ashraf Ali: Basic thing is that we have excluded the people of FATA from legislation and political process. There have emerged the problems of militancy and terrorism because of this deprivation. If people own this system then there is no place for militants in FATA. FATA will become a peaceful place.

Shams: Thank you very much. It is good bye for now.

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