Integration of FATA in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP): Impact on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) remained as 'no men's land' since the times of the British rule and was governed under the Frontier Crime Regulation (FCR), a draconian law based on collective responsibility of the tribesman. The non-integration of FATA has kept it backward and deprived it from the fruits of a civilized life on one hand while on the other hand; it remained open for the intruders from the outside world. For instance, the Taliban and terrorists found a safe haven in FATA after the American attack on Afghanistan because of the absence of direct administrative system there. Their cadres included not only the tribal madrassa students but also the Afghans, Arabs and Uzbeks who have not only hijacked FATA but also posed a potential threat to the rest of the country. In order to counter the menace of the Taliban and terrorists, Pakistan's army launched various operations and proclaimed successes but such claims were usually followed by a fresh wave of terrorist and suicide attacks in the country. For a permanent solution to the problem and for the security of the road project which is being constructed from Xinxiang in the north-west China to Gwadar port in Baluchistan under the newly signed CPEC agreement with China, integration and mainstreaming of FATA with KP is indispensable which automatically will help in closing the nurseries of such unwelcomed Taliban and terrorist outfits.