ARoundtable: Post-Merger Role of Legal Fraternity and Elected Representatives in Addressing Issues in Merged Areas
On December 24, 2024, Aspire-KP, an autonomous non-profit research and advocacy platform, hosted a pivotal roundtable discussion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa focused on the pressing issues in the province’s merged areas. Themed “Post-Merger Role of Legal Fraternity & Elected Representatives from Merged Area,” the event brought together parliamentarians, legal experts, local government representatives, and opinion leaders to deliberate on sustainable policy reforms and practical solutions for the development challenges faced by these regions.
Overview of the Situation in Merged Districts
The merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018 was a landmark step in Pakistan’s history, aimed at integrating these historically neglected areas into the mainstream socio-political and economic framework. However, the commitments made during the merger, particularly regarding development and infrastructure, have yet to materialize fully. This has left the residents of the merged areas facing a significant development lag, adversely affecting their socio-economic conditions.
Recognizing the need for actionable solutions, Aspire-KP organized this roundtable to address these lingering issues. It was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including Members of National and Provincial Assemblies, Chairmen of Tehsil Local Governments, academia, and the Aspire-KP leadership team.
Key Participants
Members of National Assembly:
- Mr. Sajid Khan (NA-26, Mohmand)
Senior Opinion Leaders
- Shaukatullah Khan, former Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Bajaur)
- Mr. Noor ul Haq Qadri (Former Federal Minister, Khyber)
- Mr. Gul Dad Khan (Former Member National Assembly, Bajaur)
Members of Provincial Assembly:
- Anwar Zeb Khan, PK-20 Bajaur-II
- Ajmal Khan, PK-21 Bajaur-III
- Muhammad Adnan Qadri PK-69 Khyber-I
- Muhammad Sohail Afridi PK-70, Khyber-II
- Muhammad Israr PK-68 Mohmand-II
Chairmen, Tehsil Local Governments
- Khalil Ur Rahman, Nawagai Bajaur,
- Shah Khalid, Landi Kotal Khyber
- Bilal Khan Razmak, North Waziristan
- Naveed Ahmad, Lower Mohmand
- Mufti Muhammad Kafeel, Bara Khyber
- Shahid Bilal, Darra Adam Khel
- Arshad Zaman Bangash Lower Kurram.
- Ehsanullah Khan, Central Kurram
- Ahamd Saeed, Mir Ali, North Waziristan
Aspire-KP Team
- Mohammad Shehzad Arbab, Chairman Aspire-KP
- Sahibzada Saeed Ahmad
- Habibullah Khan Khattak
- Arbab Muhammad Arif
- Zaffar Iqbal Khan
- Adnan Faisal Kundi
Legal Experts:
- Shuamil Ahmad Butt
- Ali Gohar Durrani
- Barrister Bilal
Academia
- Professor Dr. Jamil Chitrali, Director IPCS, University of Peshawar
Proceedings and Discussions
The session was chaired by Mr. Mohammad Shehzad Arbab, Chairman of Aspire-KP, and began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. The discussions centered around the unmet commitments made during the 2018 merger and the slow pace of developmental projects in the merged areas. Participants highlighted the need for immediate legal and political action to bridge these gaps.
The legal fraternity emphasized the importance of accessing superior courts to seek directives for the federal and provincial governments to fulfill their promises. Legal experts outlined the feasibility of instituting a case in the Peshawar High Court, with a broad coalition of petitioners from diverse political and social backgrounds.
Elected representatives voiced their concerns over the lack of progress and proposed tabling resolutions in the National and Provincial Assemblies. These resolutions would demand the fulfillment of commitments and allocate development grants for the merged areas.
Key Resolutions
The roundtable concluded with the following actionable decisions:
- Legal Action:
- A case will be filed in the Peshawar High Court to hold the federal and provincial governments accountable for their commitments.
- Elected members and local government representatives will join the case as petitioners to ensure non-partisan support.
- Political Advocacy:
- Resolutions will be tabled in the National and Provincial Assemblies by representatives from merged areas, demanding developmental funds and policy implementation.
- Grassroots Mobilization:
- Chairmen of Tehsil Local Governments will mobilize their respective councils to pass resolutions advocating for the region’s development.
- All-Parties Conference:
- Senior representatives, including Mr. Noor ul Haq Qadri and Mr. Sajid Turi, will seek an appointment with the Chief Minister to propose an All-Parties Conference focused on the issues of the merged areas.
The discussions during the roundtable underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts among legal professionals, political representatives, and local leaders to address the systemic challenges in the merged areas. Aspire-KP reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a non-partisan advocacy platform to push for sustainable policy reforms and equitable development in the region.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote of thanks, setting the stage for future actions that promise to bring the voices of the merged areas to the forefront of national discourse.
