Pakistani president signs law merging tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 May 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani president signs law merging tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 31 May 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bc04e547.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 31, 2018 10:31 GMT
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain has signed legislation that merges the country's tribal regions with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and therefore grants some 5 million people in the regions the same rights as other Pakistanis.
Hussain signed the law in Islamabad on May 31.
The bill had previously been passed by the lower and upper houses of parliament as well as the assembly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the necessary two-thirds majority.
The legislation rids the northwestern tribal areas of what were seen as discriminatory laws under which those regions have been governed since the colonial rule of Britain.
Pakistan was granted independence from London in 1947.
The Federaly Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) include seven territorial agencies: Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan. They are mainly rugged, mountainous areas along the border with Afghanistan.
Pakistan's government, led by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, formally steps down on May 31, the end of its five-year term.
Parliamentary elections will be held on July 25 and a new government formed afterwards.
Based on reporting by AP and Thenews.com.pk
Link to original story on RFE/RL website