KP Assembly ratifies FATA bill amid protests

Dunya News

For formal approval from KPK Assembly, 83 votes were required in favor of the bill.

PESHAWAR (Dunya News ) – The bill aimed at much-anticipated merger of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) has on Sunday been adopted by KPK Assembly amid ruckus from the opposition.

As per details garnered, as much as 85 provincial legislators casted their vote in favor of the bill whereas six lawmakers casted their vote against the historic 31st amendment.

For formal approval from KPK Assembly, 83 votes were required in favor of the bill.  

Speaker Asad Qaiser presided over the session while lawmakers including KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak attended the historic session. Large contingents of police had been deployed in the area as Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Fazl (JUI-F) workers staged protests.

JUI-F workers were chanting slogans against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as they foresaw merger as part of ‘greater foreign agenda’.

It is worth here to mention that both National Assembly and Senate has already adopted historic 31st amendment aka FATA reforms bill with two-third majority. With the passing of historic bill, the controversial FCR has also been quashed after 118 years.