950823

Govt policy in

tribal areas

criticized

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday held further discussions on the adjournment motion regarding the incidents in Khyber agency, cuasing huge loss to human lives and property.

Capt Halim Siddiqui said blood is being shed from Khyber to Karachi and the government has even surpassed the oppressive martial law regime. Ever since it assumed power, it has been following a policy of use of force against its own citizens. Is there any difference between the martial law regime and the so-called democratic era of the present government? He said that a strike is being observed in Karachi today and also tomorrow. Democracy can only function with the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression and justice to the common man. The journalists are observing boycott for the last four days and there is no acting chief justice. In these circumstances how can the freedom of press and justice can be ensured? he asked. "I would not like to speak on Bara, and other issues till the press is back in the press gallery."

Gul Muhammad Khan from Fata demanded that the tribesmen should be given the right of franchise to enable them to elect the representatives of their choice in a free and unfettered atmosphere. The existing representatives of Bara are not the real representatives and one of them has been apologetic about the Bara killings.

Mohammad Afzal from Orakzai Agency of Fata said large-scale migration is taking place and the residents of Bara Tehsil are seeking shelter from the impending indiscriminate use of force. He said indiscriminate shelling in the Bara area cannot be justified on any grounds. The government should refrain from opening new fronts of confrontation and should settle the dispute through dialogue.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, one of the movers of the adjournment motion said the Tanzeem which is being termed as criminal and terrorist has been described to him by the Peshawar administration as an organization doing good work for the reformation of society and had been successful in eradicating crimes and immoral activities like trafficking of narcotics. He asked if the Tanzeem had been involved in or supported crimes, why in the first instance, was Maulana Abdul Hadi extended all sorts of cooperation by the frontier government? If the Ulema are not criminals, they why have they been arrested? he asked.

He said that as JUI representative it is "my feeling that whatever is happening in the tribal belt, Bajaur and Malakand, is the result of foreign intervention in the internal politics of Pakistan, particularly in view of the fact that after the dismemberment of the Soviet Union the remaining super power along with the European countries is bent upon the destruction of Islam and deeni organizations.

The government's is embarking upon operations against the religious parties and deeni madaris off and on as part of this programme of the super power. He warned the government not to target the religious parties and the deeni madaris to achieve the nefarious designs of the super power.

Dr. Hamid Achakzai said it is astonishing that the government did not consider the use of FCR in dealing with the Bara trouble, although it is a black law in itself. However, it provides for referring disputes to the council of elders and its decisions are implemented by the political agents. He said the real issue is the failure of a deal reached between very influential persons in Islamabad and in the tribal area. The dispute arose when the second instalment was not paid an the relative of the influential person of Islamabad was kidnapped for the return of the first instalment of money. To recover the kidnapped person, the operation has been started. He said that at the unprecedented huge loss of life and property the government should tender an unconditional apology to the tribesmen, pay compensation for the damaged property and also pay "khoon baha" (blood money) to the next of kin of the deceased.

Syed Abbas Shah also spoke on the subject and demanded of the government to immediately settle the dispute through the jirga. The government should also pay compensation to the 'shaheeds' and the loss of property.

The house then adjourned to meet again on Wednesday morning.