KHYBER: On Thursday, the Fata Qaumi Jirga (FQJ), a coalition of tribal elders opposed to the merger, declared their boycott of the upcoming general elections on February 8th.
The Fata Qaumi Jirga has decided to boycott the upcoming elections. The decision comes as a response to what the Jirga perceives as the neglect of the rights of tribal people and the lack of implementation of promised reforms in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
The Fata Qaumi Jirga, a representative body of tribal elders and leaders, believes that the government has not fulfilled its commitments regarding the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the provision of basic rights and development projects to the tribal regions.
This boycott is likely to have an impact on the political dynamics in the region, as the tribal areas have historically played a significant role in the electoral landscape. The grievances of the Fata Qaumi Jirga reflect broader concerns about the integration of FATA into mainstream governance and the fulfillment of promises made during this process.
During a gathering in Bara, key members of the Fata Qaumi Jirga (FQJ), including Haji Bismillah Khan, Malak Mohammad Hussain, Malak Fazlur Rehman, Malak Daud Shah, Malak Khan Marjan, Malak Jalal Khan Wazir, Malak Naib Shah, and others, declared a boycott of the February 8 general elections.
They urged all tribesmen from the seven tribal regions of the former Fata to refrain from participating in the electoral process. Additionally, Malak Saeed Khan, an active FQJ member, announced his withdrawal from the National Assembly seat contest in Darra Adamkhel, and they requested Bazar Gul to withdraw from the provincial assembly seat contest in Bara.
The Fata Qaumi Jirga (FQJ) passed a resolution demanding the formation of a larger bench by the Supreme Court to hear their writ petition challenging the 25th constitutional amendment.
