Pakistan to repeal colonial draconian law

WHY IN DIFFERENT COLOUR?

People in federally administered tribal area (FATA) may get rid of 100 years old colonial law known as federal crime regulation (FCR) which goes against even the basic human rights. This FCR was enacted by British in 1901 when Pakistan was under the colonial regime of UK. This regulation is still in vogue in FATA and is regarded as the most draconian law ever existed in Pakistan. It empowers the authorities to arrest and detain people without even formal charges framed against him or her. It also authorizes police and other so-called law enforcing agencies to exercise unlimited and unbridled powers with regard to awarding punishments to the subjects. It is, in a way, a medieval law which no modern society can afford to keep in vogue.

Tribal areas were considered problematic spots for the British government, the colonizers; therefore by enacting this draconian law, they sought to tame the tribes who were very violent, aggressive, tradition ridden and untamable. Thus this is a remnant and vestige of the erstwhile British Empire which the present day government is carrying forward till date.

FATA is a centrally administered area which has come into being under Article 247 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and is administered by Federal government. It is like Union Territories in India which is governed through Lt. Governors, who are agents of President of the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari while addressing the Nation on the eve of Pakistan’s 63^rd Independence Day on 14^th August announced that FCR would be done away with and common law of land would be invoked in FATA. It is worth mentioning here that due to special status of FATA, neither the Supreme Court nor the High court has any jurisdiction in this area and the judiciary is still based on old religious and tribal traditional institutions.

Many people feel that due to such situation and vestigial institutions present in Pakistan, the Jehadi elements, Islamic fundamentalists and Taliban have grown. The death of Baitullah Mehsud and subsequent internecine warfare in the FATA and especially in South Waziristan has given Pakistan congenial environment and right opportunity to prevail in the area and take some corrective measures. The announcement to repeal FCR is being seen in this context also. What ever may be reason, it is a belated welcome step in right direction. Pakistan must create and build modern democratic institutions so that the fertility of Pakistani soils for growth of Terrorism and fundamentalism is diminished if not totally destroyed.

Bihar to declare 26 disticts as drought affected

NATURE'S TEST TO BIHAR'S PATIENCE CONTINUES

All party meeting convened by Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar was attended by almost all political parties in Patna on Sunday. Keeping in view the unprecedented drought like situation in at least 26 of 38 districts in the state, all political parties unanimously resolved to provide support to the state govt in its fight against the woes of farmer. The Chief Secretary made a power point and documentary presentation before the leaders about the rainfall and subsequent sowing of paddy in all the districts. The Meteorological department has also informed that Bihar has received at least 70-80% less rain fall than the average.

Briefing the media after meeting, Nitish Kumar said that a formal decision to declare 26 districts as ‘drought affected districts’ would be taken on Tuesday, the 11^{th August}. He further elaborated and informed the press that the state government has prepared a blue print to fight drought and mitigate the agony of the poor and farmers. 2-5 Crore families would be provided relief by giving them 1 quintal of food grains and 250 Rs/family/month. He stressed the need to enhance the minimum wage to 200 days from existing 100 days under NREGS.

The DMs of all the drought affected districts are assembling on Monday to discuss the modalities and modes of implementation of programmes and measures to fight the drought. The CM is also likely to address the district officials. It has also been decided that the state government would place demand before the Union Government for grant and aid from Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) so that succour could be provided to the affected population. Apart from monetary help, the state government is also likely to demand 22.5 lakh tons of food grain from Union government.

Sources say that the situation in state is grim and only 12 districts have more than 70% sown areas of paddy. These districts are East and West Champaran, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Saharsa, Supaul, Purnea, Araria, and Khagaria. Thus except these districts, all 26 remaining districts are to be put up under drought affected districts. Bihar is, at present, facing twin natural calamities simultaneously. One the one hand districts in North Bihar like Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul etc are flood affected, south Bihar is witnessing scanty or no rain fall. This is the third consecutive year in a row that Bihar is subjected to natural calamities at such a huge scale.