PESHAWAR, Pakistan – New Pakistani Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, and his government announced on April 1st that they are developing a plan to replace the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the border with Afghanistan.  The current FCR has been in place since 1901, and has long been criticized for violating human rights and keeping the FATA from developing.

The FCR is a colonial-era legal regime the British used to attempt to control strong Pashtun opposition in the area.  It keeps residents of the area from participating in politics and instead grants authority to a local administrator called a Political Agent.  Further, the FCR establishes a collective responsibility system, meaning that an entire community is held responsible for the actions of one person.

Many people living in the FATA want the FCR abolished, but they have concerns over what will replace it.  Some would prefer Islamic laws while others want the area absorbed into Pakistan’s national legal structure.  Either way, implementation of the new laws once enacted will be difficult; Taleban and Al Qaeda efforts in the area have eroded any current governing structures and the groups will likely continue to fight maintain control.  Insecurity and war ravage the area.

Gillani announced that his goal is to bring “economic, social, and political reforms” to the tribal areas to prevent the further spread of terrorism.  His new government has formed a four-person parliamentary committee that will be determine how to replace the FCR.

For more information, please see:

Radio Free Europe – Pakistan: New Government Announces Major Reforms in Tribal Areas – 3 April 2008