PUBLIC OPINION ON FATA MERGER WITH KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KP) IN TRIBAL DISTRICT KHYBER A CASE STUDY OF TEHSIL JAMRUD

Abstract

Erstwhile FAT A (now tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) was previously governed through Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) of 1901-refereed as a black law- which was considered as the root cause of bad governance and human rights violation. In May 201 8, following FAT A reforms Committee's recommendations, the government integrated FA TA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province for durable peace and stability of the country through 31 st constitutional amendment. The main argument of this study is to asceliain the willingness and opinions of the residents of Jamrud Tribal district Khyber regarding FAT A merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the new changes (police and judicial setup) impl emented and their opinion regarding separate province for FAT A. This research study is qualitative in nature. Both primary and secondary data were collected from the respondents and published sources. Non- probability sampling techniques was applied to collect first hand data. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze the primary data sources. The major findings revealed that majority of the respondents opposed FAT A's integration into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because they were not consulted. The study fUliher reveals that majority of the respondents are not satisfied with the new changes i.e. police and judicial system and consider these changes against their customs and traditions. FUlthermore, majority of the respondents demanded separate FAT A province to preserve their cultural identity and traditional values and avoid exploitation at the hands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in resources as well as employment oppOliunities. The study suggest that the residents of tribal areas shall be consulted through referendum regarding FAT A unification with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or separate FAT A province to settle this issue as per public wishes and demands. The study fUlther recommend the modification of police and judicial system to be consistent with the egalitarian tribal customs and traditions.