KHAR: Speakers at a literary session here on Tuesday termed the existing draconian law of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) a big obstacle to promotion of socio-economic activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and called for early repeal of this colonial era governance system in the region.

The poetry session, held in connection with the Independence Day, was organised by Bajaur Pakhto Adabi Malgari an association of local poets and literary figures in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation here at the Civil Colony. Writers, poets and activists of political parties attended the event.

Opening the session, representatives of Bajaur Pakhto Adabi Malgari Anwar Nigar and Abdul Ghaffar said that the event was aimed at highlighting significance of the independence and to underline the drawbacks of colonial governance system in the tribal areas.

The speakers, including ANP leader Malik Attaullah Khan, intellectual Sheikh Jan Zada, religious leader Muf ti Bilal Yasar, Shah Khaild, Abdul Manan and Lali Shah said that freedom and liberty was not only necessary for human development, but also for a peaceful, civilised and prosperous society.

Highlighting the sacrifices of people of tribal areas in the country`s independence, they said that thousands of people of tribal belt had rendered the sacrifice of their lives for the country`s independence. However, they criticised the rulersforignoringtheirsacriñces.

The speakers termed the replacement of FCR with the country`s regular laws in tribal areas essential for durable peace and socio-economic development of the region. They also stressed the need for early merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunl(hwa to achieve the goals of development and prosperity.

They criticised the federal government for delaying the proposed reforms in the tribal areas, adding that the PML-N government was not serious in the reform process.

On this occasion, the poets recited their poems about the problems and hurdles of colonial governance system.

They said that absence of fundamental rights was the chief hurdle to the socioeconomic development. According to the poets, lack of proper social justice system was also an obstacle to the promotion of literary and cultural activities in the region.

They said that neither the federal government nor the local administration had taken any step for the promotion of literary and cultural activities in tribal areas. They demanded of the government to extend financial assistance to the poets and writers of Fata. Correspondent