Centre mulling reversal of Fata merger, claims Fazl

PESHAWAR: Maulana Fazlur Rahman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has alleged that the federal government is considering reversing the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Mr Fazl said that high-level government officials have directly informed him that they believe the merger was a mistake. He stated that the government wants to revoke the merger and restore Fata's previous status.

The JUI-F chief expressed his concerns about the merged districts being used as a laboratory, questioning why the government has not addressed his legitimate concerns. Instead, he claimed that character assassination campaigns have been launched against him. Mr Fazl said that at the time of the merger, he had serious reservations and believed the conditions were not suitable.

He added that 10 years after the merger, the administrative system in the settled areas has yet to be established, with no patwaris (tax collectors) and a lack of a land revenue system. The issue, he argued, is now about Fata's resources and economy, rather than being strictly political or constitutional. Fazl stated that he has always maintained that Fata's problem is linked to its mineral resources and that he is not opposed to foreign investment but is concerned about hurdles created by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) investors.

He warned that if China is unhappy with its investments, other countries may also refrain from investing. The JUI-F chief also criticized the imposition of governor's rule and emergency in KP, questioning the legal and constitutional procedures followed. He pointed out that the president should formally agree to the imposition of governor's rule, but no such written statement exists.

Fazl further claimed that Kohat division has been included in the designated districts and that he has been a target of character assassination campaigns through mainstream and social media. Despite being a target for years, Fazl said he will not be intimidated. He also dismissed accusations that JUI-F has a soft corner for militants, emphasizing that the party is actively opposing armed struggle.