Inclusive Planning, Massive Financial Resources Require For Solution Of Post KP-Fata Challenges: Experts

(@FahadShabbir)

Inclusive planning, massive financial resources require for solution of post KP-Fata challenges: Experts

PTI, which achieved overwhelming majority in Centre, KP and Punjab provinces in 2018 elections, will face the tough challenge of bringing erstwhile Fata at par with developed regions of the country and inclusive planning and massive financial resources would be required to accelerate pace of development in the hitherto neglected tribal districts of the province.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Aug, 2018 ) :PTI, which achieved overwhelming majority in Centre, KP and Punjab provinces in 2018 elections, will face the tough challenge of bringing erstwhile Fata at par with developed regions of the country and inclusive planning and massive financial resources would be required to accelerate pace of development in the hitherto neglected tribal districts of the province.

Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Assistant Professor, Economics Department, University of Swabi told APP that robust planning was needed for tackling of post KP-Fata merger challenges on sound footing vital to bring tribal areas quickly into mainstream. He said people of tribal areas have high expectations from PTI as it was the only party that was mandated by people of KP for second consecutive term to form government in KP and reposed full confidence in the policies of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

"The biggest challenge for Prime Minister-designate Imran Khan would be how quickly he would raise police and judicial infrastructure in tribal districts recently merged in KP," Dr Naeem said.

He said merger of Fata in Khyber Pakthunkhwa was an historic achievement and a leap-step forward to expedite pace of socio-economic development in tribal areas besides removing long sense of deprivation of tribesmen.

Dr Naeem said quick measures would be required for implementation of all the country's laws in tribal districts besides construction of police stations, check posts and judicial complexes, saying constitution of special bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) for Fata was need of the hour.

"The major challenge before PTI Govt in KP would be to make tribesmen accustomed to the country's laws introduced under Fata reforms and PTI Govt constant efforts would be required for implementation of these laws on ground in all seven tribal districts of KP," he said.

For implementation of the country's laws, he said, police system should be strengthened besides focus on capacity building of police and levy force for which huge financial resources would be required.

To maintain lasting peace in tribal districts of KP, he said, compensation should be made at earliest to all those tribesmen whose houses, markets, and shops etc were destroyed or damaged besides rebuilding of all schools and colleges demolished due to terrorism.

While referring to economic challenges, he said, around 80pc tribal people were living below the poverty line and there is huge gap between rich and poor besides economic imbalances, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment that needed to be addressed by PTI Govt on priority basis.

Although PMLN last Govt has announced allocation of Rs100billion annually for former Fata for next 10 years, but the real challenge before PTI Govt would be transparent utilization of these funds on ground with consultation of tribal elders and elected representatives.

Sumbul Riaz, an economics and financial expert said dispensation of justice in tribal system was quick and inexpensive as compared to judicial system and solid measures would be required for provision of inexpensive and speedy justice to tribal litigants imperative for boosting of their confidence.

Despite the fact that an Interim Governance Ordinance (IGO) had been issued for provision of speedy justice to tribal litigants, but still a lot of efforts would be required for addressal of others legal complications in wake of Fata reforms.

She maintained that enforcement of IGO for a longer period may be counterproductive and suggested inclusive and wide-ranging reforms for raising of judicial and police infrastructure.

She said free, fair and peaceful conduct of election for Fata seats in KP Assembly would be another big challenge before PTI and ECP and suggested that sooner the elections for seats of KP assembly were held would better for democratic system in the country.

"Tribal districts were kept away from jurisdiction of courts, high courts and supreme court for about 70 years and seeking of speedy and inexpensive justice merely remained a distant dream for tribesmen," she remarked.

She maintained tribal people have now achieved all legal and constitutional rights as being enjoyed by people of other districts of Pakistan, but the gains in wake of historic development of KP-Fata merger should be consolidated to make entire process a complete success besides provide quality services to tribal people at their doorsteps.

The experts expressed optimism that PTI Govt would take post KP-Fata challenges seriously and divert maximum financial resources to address it on priority basis imperative for progress and development of the country.