The problems of FATA are manifold. On immediate level we are to deal with two problems. Firstly we are to deal with Talibanization in the form of proxy warriors, warlords, drug mafia, kidnapers, smugglers and all those elements who either challenge the write of the state or undermine the state in connivance with the very state institutions. The second problem is a humanitarian crisis that emanates from lack of human security, primarily from a relatively weaker indigenous defense mechanism in the form of tribal institutions such as Jarga and Lashkar. Over the years FATA remained isolated with negligible interaction with the outside world. This isolation itself has a long history dating back to the 19th century Great Game between the Tsarist Russia and the British India that was followed by the Afghan Jihad during the Cold War era. Pakistan never owned these areas save for proxy games such as support to the Taliban government in Afghanistan and loosed control through Political Administration and draconian laws of the British Raj. The isolation has reached a higher threshold level now and most of the tribal areas are no-go-zones for common people, journalists and aid workers.
Quite recently the state of Pakistan has introduced limited reforms that allowed political mobilization but it seems we are already too late for such interventions. Keeping in view the severity of the problems and a huge humanitarian crisis the state of Pakistan shall ensure immediate measures to end FATA’s alienation. This can be done by assigning a provincial status to FATA with its own legislature and governance structure like other provinces of Pakistan. For financial restrains UN and other countries shall be asked to extend support to FATA.
A visible immediate outcome of a separate province would be that the people of FATA will be able to own their own problems without looking towards the outsiders for solutions. Thinking on the obsolete pattern of control from the outside on any pretext may further devastate the areas. Let’s be neutral in allowing political will to the people of FATA. They need it desperately; they deserve it; and perhaps this is the best solution for outsiders as well.
