President Zardari announces Local Self Government for FATA

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on the eve of 66th Independence day of Pakistan, announced introduction of local governments in tribal areas in the coming year as yet another step forward for bringing the people of tribal areas into the mainstream of national life.

The President declared that the coming year will see the beginning of local self governance in tribal areas, in accordance with the wishes, customs and traditions of its people.

"We owe it to the people and to the peace and stability of the country, and the region, to bring these areas into the mainstream of national life," he said.

The President made this announcement while addressing a special ceremony here at Aiwan-e-Sadr to celebrate 66th Independence
Day of the country.

Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the special Jashn-e-Azadi celebration held in the Presidency was also attended by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, services chiefs, provincial governors, diplomats, members of the federal cabinet, parliamentarians, senior government and military officials and people from different walks of life.

The function was held Sunday night hours before the President left for Saudi Arabia for the OIC summit and was pre-recorded for telecasting at the midnight on August 14.

The President opened his address by greeting `all Pakistanis living within the country and abroad' on the eve of Independence Day.

The Spokesperson said that the introduction of local government system in tribal areas will be gradual and this provision has been incorporated in the draft Regulation which states, "It shall come into force on such date as the Governor may by notification determine, and different dates may be notified for different provisions of this Regulation."

Farhatullah Babar recalled that on eve of Independence Day last year, the President had announced amendments in the century old FCR that set into motion far reaching administrative, judicial and political reforms in those areas.

The President then had also announced extension of Political Parties Order 2002 to the tribal areas enabling for the first time all political parties to hold public meetings and take their political message to the people of tribal areas, he said.

The President in his address on the eve of 66th Independence Day last night also called for safeguarding the dignity and honor of the elected Parliament and for protecting it from new forms of assaults.

The President said the Parliament was the voice of the people and can not be silenced and will never be.

The President said that the independence anniversary this year was of special significance as it was taking place in the month of Ramazan.

He said that Pakistan came into being on the 27th of Ramazan, the night of Lailatul Qadar which is the most auspicious and special occasion for the Muslims.

There is another significance of the Independence Day this year, the President said. It is being celebrated at a time, when a democratically elected government, is about to complete its mandated term in office. This is a historic milestone. It augurs well for democracy and democratic traditions in the country, the President said.

The President said that it was natural to rejoice and celebrate the occasion of independence day but it was also an occasion, to pause and ponder over, whether we have moved towards, or away, from the ideals, for which Pakistan was created.

He said that the founding fathers of Pakistan, saw Pakistan as a country, where democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme. It was envisaged to be a country, where ballot would determine the political choices of the people. He said that countless lives were sacrificed for the achievement of these ideals.

Those who laid down their lives, the President said, for these
ideals, included the country's first directly elected Prime Minister, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It also included Muslim world's first elected woman Prime Minister, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he said.
The President said that unfortunately for most part of our independent existence, the people were often denied, right to rule, and the Constitution was repeatedly abrogated. It is reassuring, he said, that the present Parliament unanimously restored, to a large extent, the democratic Constitution of 1973. He said that the restoration of the Constitution, by all political forces, and provinces, raises our hope.

"It shows that despite setbacks, we will restore to Pakistan, the values and ideals, for which it was created. Let us on this day, re-dedicate ourselves, to the democratic ideals and principles, of the Quaid," the President asked the nation.

He said that this quest demands that we banish all forms of bigotry, extremism and militancy. On this occasion, the President said, "I wish to call upon everyone, to work together, for the strengthening of democracy, and empowerment of the people."

He urged everyone to work for a progressive, tolerant, moderate and modern Pakistan. Pakistan was envisaged to be a tolerant, modern and democratic country, the President emphasized.

The President said that today Pakistanis have reasons to celebrate, as they were an independent, and a strong nation. But, he continued, there are dangers and threats also. He said that the militants pose the greatest threat to the country.

"A great challenge that we are faced with, is defeating the militant mindset" for this, the President said, "we must defend democracy and promote tolerance, discussion and debate."

On the occasion, the President urged the nation to seize the opportunities, to make Pakistan more prosperous and stronger.

He asked the people, "Let us rise above self and let us rise above petty considerations.”

The President said. "We must work together for the benefit of all.
Let our collective strength be used for collective good."

Recalling the FATA Reforms announced on the eve of Independence Day last year Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the century old Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) was tamed to make it responsive to the human rights of the people and political parties allowed to market their programs and agendas in tribal areas to counter the one sided campaign of extremist militants who seek to impose their ideological agenda on the people through use of force.

The FCR was amended and the arbitrary powers of arrest and detention without the right to bail were curtailed.

The FCR in its old form was condemned by tribesmen as a draconian law under which there was no provision of appeal to a judicial forum against the orders of the executive authority. People were arrested and kept in jail for long years without trial under the FCR. Under it, a person could be sent to jail for three years without trial. The jail term could be extended indefinitely in installments of three years and under the Territorial Responsibility women and children have been arrested and sent to jail in the past.

The amendments made last year have changed the most obnoxious provisions of FCR.

A major initiative in the reforms, announced last year, was in the field of judicial reform. The changes made envisaged setting of a FATA Tribunal having powers similar to that of the high courts.

The newly set up FATA Tribunal has powers of revision against orders and judgments of Appellate Authority whereas prior to the reforms there was no such provision of appeal to a judicial authority, Farhatullah Babar said.

Children presented patriotic and national songs. Renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in his live first ever performance at Aiwan-e-Sadr presented different patriotic and national songs and famous qawalis on this occasion. (APP)