PRESS RELEASE

Peshawar: Centre for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA) has demanded the President of Pakistan to notify promulgation of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Local Government Regulations. The FATA Local Government Regulations (FLGR) were thoroughly discussed and debated in 2012 by stakeholders from all seven agencies of FATA.

The President of Pakistan even announced on August 14, 2012 introduction of local governments in FATA; however its formal notification is still awaited. The President is authorized under article 247 of the constitution of Pakistan to make such regulations for FATA. Article 247-5 of the constitution of Pakistan states:

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution, the President may, with respect to any matter, make regulations for the peace and good Government of a Federally Administered Tribal Area or any part thereof .

CGPA stated that FLGR will provide citizens of Pakistan living in FATA an opportunity to participate in decision making process concerning development and public service delivery. At the same time, these regulations respect the local culture of FATA by formalizing self governance through elected local councils.

The notification of FLGR is also prerequisite for implementation of TARUCCI (Tribal Areas Rural to Urban Centers Conversion Initiative), a FATA Secretariat initiative to establish 14 urban centers, two in each seven tribal agencies, for social transformation of FATA.

The FLGR provides for establishment of elected municipal committees across FATA. These municipal committees will be responsible for public health, water supply, drainage, public safety, municipal planning, building control, management of articles of food and drink, public safety, public streets, street lighting and street watering, traffic control, slaughtering houses, and sports and culture.

The FLGR also provides for local council financing, taxation, revenue generation, and process of budget preparation. CGPA stated that for stabilization of FATA it is important that such reforms p are introduced and implemented expeditiously in FATA.