Contrary to the media reports that a serving military officer will be appointed as the COO, the sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that a consensus has almost evolved on the appointment of Arbab Shehzad, former federal Secretary, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), as the COO for a transition period, a position created recently in consultation with the top military leadership.
"The civil and military leadership as well as parliamentarians from Fata are all agreed on Arbab Shehzad to be the COO for FATA, but the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is yet to give its consent", an official privy to the development said, adding the consent of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not compulsory in this case.
The COO would report to the National Committee on Implementation of Fata Reforms headed by the Prime Minister in which Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Corp Commander Peshawar and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were included as members on September 9. An official of Pakistan military told Business Recorder that the military has already given its assent to implementation of Fata reforms and it will extend all possible assistance in this regard. However, a spokesperson of the ISPR declined to comment.
Sources said that the government has also agreed with Fata parliamentarians to reconsider its plan to introduce Rewaj (custom) Regulations in the tribal areas after the abolishment of Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) and also sought input from FATA lawmakers on alternate set of new laws. Talking to Business Recorder, Sajid Hussain Turi, Member National Assembly from Kurram Agency tribal areas, said that Fata parliamentarians have called a meeting on September 20 in Islamabad for consultations on the new set of laws other than the Rewaj Regulations proposed by the government and tabled in the National Assembly titled the Tribal Areas Rewaj Bill, 2017.
Turi said that retired bureaucrats who have earlier served in Fata have also been invited to the September 20 meeting for consultations. "All MNAs and Senators belonging to FATA have decided to strongly resist any move to impose Rewaj regulations in tribal areas", he said, adding the government has now indicated that the controversial legislation will be reconsidered.
In the Administration of Justice Bill, 2017, the revised version of the Tribal Areas Rewaj Bill, 2017, which was submitted to the National Assembly on June 29, the roles and responsibilities between the executive [political agent] and the proposed judicial officers was separated.
Fata parliamentarians however resist the revised legislation as the proposed "court" to be constituted by Peshawar High Court will comprise of a judge and council of elders - jirga of four or more local elders. "This is the same old system of giving more powers to elders [malaks]. We expressed serious reservations and now the government has agreed to reverse the Rewaj regulations", said Shah Jee Gul Afridi, MNA from Khyber Agency.
He suggested that the Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa be introduced in the Fata as the tribal areas would ultimately be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The DRC is a public service project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police which is based on the spirit of the Pakhtunkhwali code - local customs of the Pakhtun society - for resolution of local issues and petty disputes through reconciliation offered under supervision of the local police.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017