Guys, what do you think about the military operation in the trible areas of Pakistan, considering that the govt did not take the public and its representatives into confidence before conducting it? Can it raise any internal threat to stability? The MPAs from FATA have already protested against this operation.
From my limited knowledge of Pakistani political structure (I think even Pakistani guppies do not have a clue sometimes :) ), I do not believe there are any MPA's for Fata - as it is not a separate province.
Can the knowledgeable Pakistani guppies correct me if I am wrong?
Re: Military operation in Vana (trible areas of Pakistan)
Yaar, FATA only sends MNA’s and Senators to the Federal parliament - 12 MNA’s and 8 Senators, not MPA’s. Of those 20 parliamentarians, the majority (11) have spoken in favour of the operation. So far I have only read a minority of the FATA parliamentarians voicing opposition to the operation.
http://frontierpost.com.pk/topstories.asp#1
FATA legislators support operation
A delegation of parliamentarians belonging to Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) assured President General Pervez Musharraf of their full support in operation against extremists in Tribal Areas. FATA delegation called on President General Pervez Musharraf here on Wednesday. During the meeting, the MPs expressed their full support for reforms initiated by the federal government in the tribal areas. They stated that the development projects now underway in FATA have contributed significantly to the uplift of the tribal areas. The members of the parliament were unanimous in assuring the President of their total support regarding policies being pursued by the government and stated that there is absolutely no concept of extremism or terrorism in the great religion of Islam. They assured the president of wholehearted and all-out cooperation by all tribes in the operations against extremists and foreign elements trying to hide in the areas. The representatives expressed the hope that there would be a greater coordination between the troops operating there and the local leadership and the people of areas would not face difficulties on this account. Referring to the current international environment, they lauded the sagacious leadership of President Musharraf in pursuing effective policies, particularly in highlighting the problems facing the Muslim Ummah and his call for resolution of the disputes involving Muslims with Justice. The MPs also appreciated deep interest and initiatives for construction of water reserviours to meet the growing requirements of the country. President Musharraf assured the delegation that development projects would continue apace in the tribal areas for socio-economic progress of the local populace. He praised the contribution of leaders of tribal areas in the creation of Pakistan, stating that the people of tribal area are brave and courageous, having great traditions. He expressed the hope that they would continue to play their role in the development of the country. He reiterated that nobody would be allowed be misuse Pakistan’s territory for carrying out extremist activities within the country or against any other country. The tribal leadership, he hoped, would help identify and apprehend any extremist element seeking refuge in the areas. The President assured that the troops would take care that the local people face no difficulties during operation against extremist elements. He expressed the hope that a committee headed by Governor NWFP Iftikhar Hussain Shah would amicably sort out problems regarding electricity issues. The representatives invited the President to visit the tribal areas and address a jirga gathering to inform the people about the steps for brining FATA into mainstream of national life. The MPs included senators Malik Ajmal Khan, Engineer Rashid Ahmed, Mian Sajj Hussain, Tahir Iqbal Orakzai, Pir Abdul Malik Qadri and Maulana Ghulam Siddique and MNAs Haji Munir Orakzai, Dr Javed Hussian, Dr. Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Pir Noor ul Haq Qadir and Dr. Nasir Afridi.
I just hope that the military victory in the area will help bring the area to be fully integrated into the NWFP, rather than retaining the current status of the FATA. The lack of control that the government has over the FATA is ridiculous (it's effectiveless allowed to exist as a badlands), and is just a leftover from the colonial era. Integration into the NWFP might accelerate economic development in the region too.