Islamabad – Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani met with a 90-member tribal jirga led by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, at the Parliament House. The delegation included prominent tribal leaders such as Dr. Alamzeb Mehmund, Malik Khan Marjan Wazir, and Bismillah Khan Afridi.
During the meeting, members of the jirga briefed the Chairman on key challenges faced by the people of the former FATA districts, including the inequitable distribution of resources and the lack of implementation of promised reforms. Chairman Gilani assured the delegation that the Senate will fulfill its constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities to ensure justice, equitable resource distribution, sustainable peace, and development in the region.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war—it is the presence of justice,”
— Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
He emphasized that the Senate stands as a strong and effective voice for the people of the merged districts and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to addressing their long-standing deprivations. He expressed appreciation for Governor Kundi’s role in highlighting these issues at the national level and said the concerns raised by the jirga were legitimate and urgent.
Chairman Gilani recalled his previous efforts as Prime Minister to rehabilitate 2.5 million displaced individuals in Swat, Malakand, and South Waziristan within 90 days—an unprecedented achievement in Pakistan’s history. He also noted his global advocacy for peace and justice, including honoring Malala Yousafzai with a peace award before her international recognition.
“The sacrifices of the tribal people cannot be forgotten. They are an inseparable part of Pakistan’s foundation,” he said.
“We must ensure that the merged districts are not only administratively, but also economically and politically integrated into the national mainstream.”
Chairman Gilani added that the issue will be raised in the Senate, aiming to develop a comprehensive national policy for the sustainable development of these areas. He emphasized the need to utilize the region’s natural resources effectively and encouraged provinces to adopt practical strategies under the 18th Amendment.
Voices from the Tribal Jirga
Members of the jirga lamented that despite their historic contributions to the creation and defense of Pakistan, the tribal areas remain neglected. They criticized the forceful nature of the FATA merger and the non-implementation of NFC commitments, including the promised allocation of Rs. 100 billion, which remains unmet.
They also demanded restoration of traditional governance systems and fulfillment of ADP (Annual Development Programme) commitments.
Governor KP Highlights Fiscal Injustice
Governor KP Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi emphasized that the 3% NFC share promised under the Sartaj Aziz Committee recommendations for the former FATA districts has not been fully implemented. He noted that development funds are neither transferred transparently nor directly under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), but rather merged into the provincial system—raising concerns about misuse and accountability.
Governor Kundi underscored the demographic and geographic expansion of KP post-merger, noting that the population share rose from 13% to 17.1%, while poverty rates surged in the newly merged districts.
“Despite these changes, the former FATA regions continue to be deprived of their rightful constitutional and financial share,”
— Governor Faisal Karim Kundi
He called upon the federal government to urgently fulfill its financial commitments under the NFC framework to ensure long-term development, provision of basic services, and prosperity in the region.
