KHAR: Jamaat-i-Islami on Saturday launched a movement in Bajaur Agency to mobilise the people to push for repeal of the Frontier Crimes Regulations and early implementation of the proposed Fata reforms package.

The movement was kicked off in Memola area, the headquarters of remote Barang tehsil, with a protest-cum-public gathering.

JI Fata chief Haji Sardar Khan, deputy chief Maulana Wahid Gul, JI local chapter emir Qari Abdul Majeed, and other party leaders addressed the protest and expressed concern over the long delay in implementation of proposed reforms in the region.

The JI leaders informed the audience about the significance of the `Go FCR Go` movement and said it was aimed to mobilise the people against the colonial governance system.

They said they would show to the government that a majority of tribesmen favoured reforms, and build pressure on the government to implement the reforms without delay.

The speakers said complete repeal of FCR and extension of constitutional rights to the tribal areas was the need of the hour because the current governance system was hurdle to the development of tribal areas.

They said tribal people were peaceful, patriotic, and progressive citizens but they lacked constitutional rights.

The speakers criticised the federal government for making unnecessary delay in introducing reforms in the tribal areas, adding that one hand the government was claiming to bring the tribal areas into the mainstream, but on the other, the proposed reforms had not been implemented despite the fact that the package had been ready for some months.

According to the JI leaders, merger of Fata with KP was the best way for ensuring durable peace and development in tribal areas, saying those opposing the reforms were enemies of tribesmen.

They requested the tribal elders and religious leaders to stop opposing the reforms.

The JI leaders said their anti-FCR movement would continue till Feb 16, adding a public meeting would be held on that day in Khar which would also be addressed by JI emir Sirajul Haq.