QUETTA: Mainstream political parties have demanded of the federal government to restore peace in the volatile tribal belt of Pakistan and empower the tribesmen to decide their political future.
Addressing a press conference in Quetta on Friday, Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Malik Baloch said peace in the world and especially the country, was linked with peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
Ajmal Khan Wazir of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Hashim Babar Qaumi Watan Party, Professor Ibrahim of Jamaat-i-Islami, Akhudzada Chattan of PPP and other political leaders were also present on the occasion.
The political parties developed a consensus on eleven points and termed their implementation crucial for peace in the tribal belt.
Dr Baloch endorsed the demands of the parties and said that reforms in the tribal belt would pave the way for durable peace.
PML-Q leader, Ajmal Khan Wazir said that all eleven political parties have decided in principle to struggle together for restoration of political process and peace in Fata.
He spoke at length about the difficulties faced by the people in the tribal belt.
"Even in the 21st century, senators and MNAs are not allowed to do legislation," Wazir stated.
He termed amendments integral in article 247 of the constitution and said that it has deprived the tribesmen of their constitutional, political and social rights.
"People of Fata are voiceless," he lamented while referring to troubles faced by the terror-hit tribesmen.
The political parties demanded that the judiciary should be separated from the executive and people have to be allowed to challenge the judgement of political agents.
"Can you believe that the people of Fata cannot approach the high or supreme court against political agents' judgments," Wazir informed.
The political forces of the country underlined the need for holding immediate local bodies elections in order to empower the people of Fata at gross roots level.
For the first time in the history of Pakistan, political parties were allowed to operate in insurgency-hit tribal areas.
The ratio of poverty, unemployment remained high in Fata as compared to other parts of the country.
The political reforms committee on Fata also demanded a development package for the tribal areas to alleviate the suffering of the people.
"Underlying reasons behind the insurgency needs to be addressed," Wazir added.