Rewaj Bill 2017 to give 'proper judicial system' to FATA

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Zahid Hamid on Saturday said that Rewaj Bill, 2017 has been finalized in line with the wishes of the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) giving full protection to their tradition as well as bringing them in the mainstream by introducing the normal system.

In his statement, Federal Law Minister said that Prime Minister constituted a high level committee to come up with concrete reform package to alleviate those miseries of masses in FATA and the committee held a series of meetings in FATA and KPK with various tribes including their elders and came up with pragmatic, imperative and meaningful reforms package.

He said that mainstreaming of FATA is recommended for which necessary legislation will be done and the Prime Minister has approved the introduction of the Tribal Areas Rewaj Bill, 2017 in the National Assembly.

The minister added that proper judicial system will be established wherein the role of tribal jirga has been duly legalized.

“The black provisions of FCR are proposed to be deleted and all fundamental rights are to be provided effectively” he said .

The minister maintained that peculiar feature of proposed law is the flexibility for its gradual implementation so that the gradual development on ground matches the legal reform.

He concluded that another important recommendation is allocation of 3% of the Federal divisible pool on annual basis for ten years in addition to existing PSDP allocation of Rs.21 Billion. It will provide extra fiscal space for implementing reform package on ground and there will be no financial constraints.