PESHAWAR: Elders from different Fata areas on Thursday opposed the merger of the tribal region with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said they won`t accept any change to the status of tribal areas without holding referendum on the issue.

Chief of the Fata Grand Alliance Malik Khan Marjan Wazir told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club that tribal areas should be made a separate province, which would not only ensure the prosperity of local residents but would also help protect local customs and traditions.

Accompanied by tribal elders Malik Bahadur Shah, Malik Nadir Mohammad Hussain, Malik Manzoor Mohmand, Malik Saeed Sardar and others, he said the status of separate province for Fata would change the region`s fate as once that happened, the local residents would be able to use their natural resources for own benefit.

Malik Marjan said the people favouring Fata-KP merger were eitheropposed to the interests of tribal people or they didn`t know about its disadvantages.

`We will never allow the merger of tribal areas with KP as the province has its own problems and that it is not able to bear the burden of the huge population of Fata,` he said.

The elder asked the government to hold a referendum on the future of Fata saying referendum is the best way to know the views of tribal people on the matter.

He insisted that most tribesmen neither supported the Frontier Crimes Regulation nor did they oppose reforms in Fata and instead, they just wanted such administrative changes to happen in line with their wishes.

Malik Marjan said FCR was a major hurdle to the development of tribal areas but tribesmen opposed its replacement with Rewaj Act fearing the proposed law`s enforcement would increase their problems.

Elder Malik Bahadur said all political parties had shown unanimity that no decision would be imposed on tribal people against their wishes but despite that, some political leaders had been working for Fata-KP merger, which was unacceptable to tribesmen.

`We demand Fata be made a province. The government should concentrate on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of educational and health facilities and other infrastructuredamaged during militancy. Also, the return of displaced persons in dignified manner should be ensured,` he said.

Malik Marjan expressed reservations about the recent population census in Fata and said a large number of tribal people lived in settled parts of the province and therefore, they weren`t included in the exercise despite their demand for a separate column in the census form.

He asked the relevant authorities to produce the actual population figures to ensure the provision of due rights to tribal areas in the National Finance Commission Award and other national resources.

The elder said the Fata Grand Alliance with the support of the JUI-F had planned to hold a youth convention on Oct 14 in Peshawar.

He asked tribal people especially youths to ensure their participation in the event.

Malik Marjan urged army chief Gen Asif Bajwa to consult tribal people as key stakeholder while trying to resolve issues with Afghanistan.

He also called for the opening of medical and engineering colleges and universities across Fata and Frontier Regions.

Elder Malik Nadir said tribesmen didn`t oppose Fata reforms but that should happen as desired by tribesmen.