The Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata) is a part of Pakistan but even 68 years after the independence of Pakistan, it has not been given constitutional status.

It is being ruled under a law called the Frontier Crime Regulation (FCR), which was made in 1901 by the British. Under the 1973 Constitution, the tribal areas have been defined and mentioned in Articles 51, 145, 246 and 247. Overall, the 1973 Constitution does not provide any relief or guarantees or social rights to the tribal areas people. Thus, the people of Fata have no human rights nor can they claim any other status, privilege or position guaranteed to the other citizens of Pakistan in the constitution.

The people of Fata appeal to the President and the government to bring some positive reforms in the constitution regarding Fata and give it constitutional status, so that the people become equal citizens like the rest of the country.

Rafi Ud Din Mehsud
South Waziristan Agency

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2015

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