Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly opposed the formation of a federal committee on the merged tribal districts, calling it an infringement on provincial autonomy.

He demanded that the committee be dissolved immediately.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside other PTI leaders on Monday, Barrister Gohar said: “Following the 25th Constitutional Amendment, the tribal areas stand merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The formation of this federal committee is unconstitutional interference in provincial matters.”

He added that seven MNAs were elected from the tribal districts, five of whom belong to PTI, and yet none were included in the committee.

He expressed concern over appointing PML-N leader Amir Muqam as the committee convener, saying, “this committee held its second meeting on Monday, but none of our representatives participated. We see this as an attempt to undermine our rights.”

Speaking on the occasion, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that the federal government is disguising an aggressive move as consultation.

“The jirga already exists. What more consultation is needed? The people of FATA and KP can decide their own future.”

He said that any decision taken without the consent of local representatives would be firmly resisted, demanding that the unconstitutional committee be scrapped immediately.

Addressing the media, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi said the tribal population was being taxed without being granted their due funds, adding that the federal government owes over Rs700 billion to FATA.

“The people are still in camps. You impose taxes but refuse to deliver funds? We reject and boycott this committee,” he said.

He also claimed that as a member of the SAFRON Committee, he was never consulted on the matter, terming it an unauthorised change to FATA’s status.

Speaking on the occasion, senior PTI leader Shah Farman said that when FATA was merged into the KP, it was agreed that development funds would be handed directly to local representatives.

“FATA MNAs vote on national issues, but their own region is excluded from their legislative reach,” he noted.

He expressed concern over reports that Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) might be reintroduced and that special privileges of settled areas may be withdrawn.

PTI leader Sohail Afridi said the party opposes any attempt to alter FATA’s constitutional status, and any amendments, if necessary, must come through the provincial assembly.

“We will restore the jirga system ourselves if needed. The federal government should mind its own jurisdiction,” he asserted.

KP’s Law Minister Aftab Alam revealed that out of the Rs1,000 billion committed for FATA development since 2018, only Rs132 billion has been released.

“The federal government is trying to block KP’s funds while making unconstitutional decisions. Even our annual share is withheld,” he added.

He also criticised the lack of progress on law and order, despite fencing and military operations, saying the people of FATA are being punished through neglect and exclusion.