I am deeply concerned with what's happening in Swat especially and generally in trible areas of Pakhtunkhuwah.
The seeds of hatered and extremism that were sown in the Zia's regime have turned into monsters now and poor people are suffering. The government so far is struggling to tackle the situation. Most likely the next stage of these flames can be Punjab and then the rest of country.
The government through its think tank Shaheed Bhutto Foundation has developed a strategy after holding a workshop on FATA and NWFP issue. It'd be interesting to see the comments of local swatians on why and how their beautiful valley is under the seige? And what should be done to resume peace in NWFP.
Peoples FATA Development Program (PFDP)
http://www.sbf.org.pk/peoples-fata-development-program.php
The solution to all prevailing problems in FATA and its consequences at regional, national, and international level lies in "bringing FATA in the mainstream". The objective of PFDP is to bring the FATA at par with the mainstream regions in the country. All of the above mentioned thematic areas will be introduced and cultivated in all of the tribal agencies, through three regional centers, with each one managing the programs related to different themes in more than one tribal agency. The three centers will be namely:
• Northern FATA (Khyber, Mohmand and Bajuar Agencies)
• Central FATA (Kurram and Aurakzai Agencies)
• Southern FATA (North and South Waziristan Agencies)
Each Center will be managed by a Regional Coordinator and will be supported additionally by the main office of SBF. Regular Monitoring and Evaluation along with the local participation is expected to nurture the on-going development programs in FATA as well as help generate confidence among the FATA members of SBF to work with more vigor and enthusiasm in achieving the desired results.
Mainstreaming FATA report.
http://www.ndi.org/files/MainstreamingFATA_Report.pdf
Recommendations:
DEFINING FATA
Constitution of Pakistan:
The jurisdiction of the Constitution of Pakistan should be extended to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Freedoms Democratization in tribal areas can only be achieved by extending the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan and international human rights conventions to the people of FATA. These freedoms include, but are not limited to, the freedoms of expression and association, rule of law, access to justice, and the sanctity of life
and property.
Frontier Crimes Regulation
The Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) should be replaced or heavily amended to bring it in line with the Constitution of Pakistan and international norms of justice, including safeguards for fundamental human rights.
Judicial Reform
In consideration of the local traditions and values (Riwaj), the traditional institution of the Jirga should be revived, respected, and further strengthened through codification and legal protection. Elected Agency Councils should nominate members of a Jirga court and should maintain such lists of eligible members among whom the disputant parties would choose. The disputant parties should have the right to either choose among Riwaj, Shariah, or civil laws as the basis for settlement of their disputes.
The jurisdiction of the Peshawar High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan should be extended to the tribal areas. FATA Courts should be established to serve as the court of first instance for the settlement of disputes on the basis of civil law and to act as an appellate court for Jirga decisions. A special FATA Bench of the Peshawar High Court would hear appeals from FATA Courts and the Supreme Court would be available to settle questions of law and interpretation of the Constitution.
Law and Order
Khassadars and Levies should be made regular forces, provided with sufficient training and modern equipment and be paid handsomely. These forces should be given responsibility for maintaining law and order in their respective areas.
Devolution The Local Government
Ordinance should be extended to tribal areas, with a two-tier structure of Agency and Tehsil Councils. All development powers shall vest in these elected councils.
DEMOCRATIZING FATA
Representation in the NWFP Assembly
Until the final decision on the constitutional status of FATA, the people of FATA should be represented in the Provincial Assembly of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) alongside their existing representation in the National Assembly and Senate.
Elected Governance
An elected FATA Council should be created and endowed with legislative powers and financial authority for the tribal areas. Elections for the Council on the basis of adult franchise should be conducted in a transparent manner. Elected Agency and Tehsil Councils should be introduced to fill the governance vacuum at the local level. These elected bodies would maintain lists of Jirga court members for resolution of disputes in accordance with the local customs of the tribal peoples.
Representation of Women and Minorities
Women from tribal areas should have representation in the Provincial and National Assemblies and on the new elected councils. The same should also be guaranteed for religious minorities.
Political Parties
The Political Parties Act should be extended to the tribal areas providing freedom of association to the people of FATA.
FATA Secretariat
The FATA Secretariat, which is widely deemed unaccountable, must be made answerable to the elected representatives of the people of FATA. The capacity of Secretariat officers should be enhanced to more effectively cope with security issues and carry out development works.
Political Agent
The powers vested in the office of the Political Agent ought to be drastically curtailed and limited to administrative matters, with no role in judicial matters.
DEVELOPING FATA
Accountability
Decision making should be decentralized and accountability mechanisms for elected representatives should be introduced to curb widespread corruption in the FATA Secretariat. Community participation and transparency should be key features of the decision-making process concerning development projects in the tribal area.
Economic Development
A comprehensive development package for the tribal areas should be introduced to generate employment and bring prosperity. The exploitation of its natural resources, such as marble, coal, granite, and other minerals, should be developed into local industries. Investment is required in infrastructure like roads and electricity and the agricultural sector needs greater support. The strategic location of the tribal areas should be utilized as a major trade route to Central Asia and the region's rich cultural heritage should be used to promote tourism.
Education
Education should be promoted at all levels in the tribal areas with special focus on the provision of vocational skills and training. A university, colleges, and technical institutions should be established to meet these needs.
Health
Facilities for primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare should be provided at the agency level.