Federal government finalises groundwork for FATA Council

The federal government has completed preliminary preparations for the formation of a FATA Council after consultations with tribal elders, according to sources familiar with the development.

The proposed council is expected to provide a platform for addressing the administrative, financial and development-related concerns of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which are now part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Sources said the federal government consulted tribal elders to seek their views on the council’s structure and responsibilities. During the discussions, the elders presented several proposals regarding its formation and the management of tribal districts.

One of their key recommendations was to allocate development funds for the tribal districts directly to the proposed FATA Council rather than channeling the funds through the KP provincial government.

According to sources, tribal elders believe that direct funding would improve development activities in the region. They argue that a separate funding mechanism could help address local needs more effectively and ensure that resources are used for projects benefiting residents of the tribal districts.

The proposed financial arrangement is among the suggestions put forward during the consultations. However, the final structure and funding mechanism of the council have yet to be formally announced.

Sources further said the proposed FATA Council would be headed by the additional chief secretary. The inspector general of police would also participate in the council, while tribal elders would be included to ensure representation of local communities.

The inclusion of tribal elders is expected to provide local representatives with an opportunity to raise concerns about development, public services, security and administrative matters affecting their areas.

The federal government’s preparations come amid wider discussions about the administrative and security situation in KP. Reports have also indicated that the government is considering emergency measures in 12 districts of the province, including eight merged tribal districts.

However, no official announcement has been made regarding the final composition, powers or operational framework of the proposed FATA Council.