R ECENTLY parliamentarians from the Federally-administrated tribal areas (Fata) submitted the Fata Reforms Bill in the National Assembly and demanded integration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Within Fata, there are three different schools of thought which want reforms in the area according to their own wishes. The first school of thought wants the integration of tribal areas with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The second school of thought demands a separate provinceforthe people ofthe area, and the third wants an autonomous tribalcouncil. However, I believe the majority of tribal people are in favour of Fata`s merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Whatever the demands of the people, these reforms are not easy and will be made step by step. At present, the government should bring about some radical reforms in the Frontier Crimes Regulation in a way acceptable to all.
Trials under the FCR do not guarantee due process.Thereisnorighttolegal representation, to present material evidence or cross-examine witnesses. They have no right of appeal to the Peshawar High Court or the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The government should amend Article 247 of the Constitution and extend the jurisdictions of Supreme and high courts to the areas. There are also some Articles in FCR which violate human rights.
