A meeting with FATA youth, FSO members

At a seminar on the 22nd constitutional amendment organised by the Center for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA) at Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel in Peshawar, lawmakers and intellectuals said the solution to Federally Administered Tribal Areas’ (FATA) problems was to mainstream the region, merging FATA in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

I met the team members of FATA Students Organization (FSO) and talked about what they want to change in FATA.

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Myself with the FSO team members at Pearl Continental (PC) hotel, Peshawar[/caption]

Shaukat Aziz of Kurram Agency, the president of FSO, a young undergraduate student said that he can’t see the tribal children deprived of education. That’s why he became an activist. He said that nothing is possible to do for the betterment of tribal people until FATA is mainstreamed. I personally demand FATA to be merged in KP.

I face so many problems being an activist in FATA. I always cooperate with our government and all security agencies. Because I personally and FSO are not against anyone or any institution. We just struggle for our rights; Shaukat Aziz

Two other students, Abid Afridi of Khyber Agency and Arman Saeed also demand FATA to be merged in KP. They said that now they are well aware. They always demand their MP’s and other lawmakers to end FCR.

The female members are the strength of FSO. There are a lot hurdles they face being activists. The vice president of FSO (female wing) Aziza is a young female activist belong to South Waziristan, FATA.

“There is no education and other facilities in our region. We all know this. FCR is a black law, we will fight against it; Aziza.”

Aziza said, first end FCR and educate our youth then we can make our efforts successful.

Madina is also from South Waziristan, a very young student, believes that first educate us then expect a change in FATA.

“When I try to apply for a scholarship or admission for FATA reserved seats, I am never eligible to apply because I didn’t get education in FATA and I am categorized in FATA-Out students. I always demand our government to establish colleges in FATA then implement the condition of FATA-in students.”

If there is no girls college in South Waziristan, How can I apply as a FATA-in student? — Madina

Unlike other team members of FSO, Madina wants FATA a separate provice. “I wish FATA a complete new provincial province.”

Shumaila Javed is another brilliant worker of FSO who belongs to Momand Agency. She believes that as a separate province FATA will have a lot difficulties which we can’t suffer. So it’s good for FATA to be merged with KP.

One thing I must say about the FSO; “The youth do what FATA MP’s couldn’t do the last ten years.” Their voice is more strong.

Not only the FSO activists, but all the youth and tribal people demand one thing strongly, “End FCR.” The FSO members are very motivated and have firm resolutions to achieve their goals and speak up always for FATA and its people.

Today our youth are highly motivated and demand our lawmakers and all the stakeholders of FATA to get rid of FCR and merge FATA with KP.