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| India-Pakistan |
| Graduation condition irks tribal elders |
| 2002-07-24 |
| Tribal elders, Maliks and political and social organizations in Fata have appealed to the military government to rescind the graduation condition for becoming a member of legislative assemblies and Senate for the candidates of the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas. A survey shows that almost all the Maliks and elders from the Khyber Agency have rejected the graduation condition for becoming an MNA, an MPA or a senator. Hmmm... One suspects they haven't graduated, doesn't one? Some of them even termed the government undemocratic and unconstitutional, saying that the government did not have the right to amend the 1973 constitution. But educated people, though in minority, are supportive of the government decision and hoped that it would help bring forth educated and enlightened leadership from among the tribesmen. Those educated people! They have this silly idea they shouldn't be governed by the ignorant... Malik Darya Khan Zakhakhel, when asked to comment on the Supreme Court verdict, said education and experience were two different things, fearing that the condition would deprive the country of experienced politicians and elders. But experienced at what? That's the question... These views were echoed by the leader of the Azad Qabail Movement, Malik Shakirullah Afridi, who termed the move a "conspiracy" against the experienced and shrewd politicians and tribal elders. No where in the world, such an unconstitutional law existed, he said, adding that the tribal elders and Maliks, though uneducated, were bold and possessed vast experience and knowledge of the tribal customs and traditions. And we can see that they've made the tribal areas one helluva fine place to live. Most other countries, not being steeped in the pervasive ignorance found in Pakland, don't need such a provision. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |