Aspire-KP Roundtable of Legal Fraternity on the Issues of Merged Area

On November 30, 2024, the Advocacy for Sustainable Policy and Implementation Reforms – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (ASPIRE-KP) organized a Roundtable on Issues in Merged Areas under the theme “Bridging Gap Through Justice: Post-Merger Role of Legal Fraternity.” This event built upon the momentum of the ASPIRE-KP Symposium on FATA Merger and Integration, held earlier on September 29, 2024, in Peshawar.

While the symposium focused on broader governance, financial, and developmental challenges, the roundtable delved into the specific role of the legal fraternity in addressing these issues. It highlighted the importance of legal advocacy and judicial interventions to ensure that the commitments made during the 2018 merger are honored.

Symposium Report on Merged District

Theme: 'Merger of Tribal Districts, Challenges, and Proposed Solutions'

Date: 29 September, 2024

Venue: Peshawar

Objectives of the Roundtable

The event aimed to:

Leverage the expertise of the legal fraternity to advocate for the merged districts.
Explore legal strategies, including petitions to Superior Courts, to compel the federal and provincial governments to fulfill their obligations.
Discuss modalities for raising awareness and addressing the development gaps in the merged areas.
Plan future consultations with a broader audience, including parliamentarians and local government representatives, to strengthen advocacy efforts.

Participants

The roundtable brought together diverse stakeholders across three groups:

Opinion Leaders from Merged Areas: Esteemed former ministers, senators, and parliamentarians with deep ties to the region, including:
- Mr. Shaukatullah Khan (Former Governor KP, Bajaur)
- Mr. Noor ul Haq Qadri (Former Federal Minister, Khyber)
- Mr. Ghazi Gulab Jamal (Former Federal Minister, Orakzai)
- Maulana Salih Shah (Former Senator, South Waziristan)
- Mr. Hameedullah Jan Afridi (Former Federal Minister, Khyber
- Mr. Ghazan Jamal (Former Member Provincial Assembly, Orakzai)
Senior Members of the Legal Fraternity: Experts in constitutional and administrative law, such as:
- Mr. Shumail Ahmad Butt (Former Advocate General KP)
- Mr. Qasim Wadud (Former Additional Advocate General, KP)
- Mr. Ali Gohar Durrani (Advocate)
- Mr. Issaq Ali Qazi (Advocate)
- Mr. Noor Alam Khan (Advocate)
- Mr. Danish Afridi (Advocate)
- Ms. Sabiha Iqbal (Advocate)
ASPIRE-KP Team: Policy leaders driving advocacy and reform efforts, including Chairman Mohammad Shehzad Arbab and key team members (Mr. Sahibzada Saeed Ahmad, Mr. Arbab Muhammad Arif, Mr. Himayatullah Khan, Mr. Zaffar Iqbal Khan and, Mr. Hifz ur Rahman).

Proceedings

The roundtable opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address by the Chairman of ASPIRE-KP. He provided an overview of the merger process, highlighting the lag in key sectors such as law and justice, agriculture, local governance, and development. An ASPIRE-KP presentation detailed the significant financial and governance gaps in the merged areas. For instance, the federal government’s failure to allocate 3% of the Federal Divisible Pool (FDP) for development was underscored as a critical barrier to progress. The forum also discussed ongoing legal efforts, including petitions pending in the Peshawar High Court and Supreme Court, advocating for the fulfillment of merger-related commitments.

Key Outcomes

Judicial Advocacy for the Merged Districts: Participants unanimously agreed that legal avenues, including Superior Court interventions, could be pivotal in compelling federal and provincial governments to act on their 2018 commitments. These actions would require formal documentation of promises and a strategic approach to litigation.
Engaging Broader Stakeholders: Recognizing the importance of collaborative advocacy, the roundtable resolved to convene a larger consultative session on December 24, 2024. This session will invite parliamentarians, senators, and local government representatives to amplify the cause and strengthen advocacy efforts.
Leadership by the Legal Team: A dedicated legal team, led by Mr. Shumail Ahmad Butt, will spearhead the legal initiatives, with support from senior advocates and ASPIRE-KP members.

Decisions

Legal Team Formation:
The legal fraternity, led by Mr. Shumail Ahmad Butt, will prepare cases for judicial intervention, focusing on development gaps and unmet financial commitments.
Follow-Up Session: A broader consultation with parliamentarians and local government representatives will be organized on December 24, 2024, to expand stakeholder involvement.
Continued Advocacy: ASPIRE-KP will lead efforts to highlight the plight of the merged districts through media, public forums, and direct engagement with policymakers.

The November 30 roundtable underscored the indispensable role of the legal fraternity in advocating for justice and development in the merged districts. Building on the groundwork laid during the September 2024 symposium, this event reinforced the need for legal and policy-level interventions to address longstanding governance and financial challenges.

With continued efforts by ASPIRE-KP, there is renewed hope for meaningful progress in fulfilling the promises of the 2018 merger. The collective wisdom of stakeholders, combined with strategic advocacy, holds the potential to transform the future of the merged districts.

Learn more about the ASPIRE-KP Symposium on FATA Merger and Integration here