The Khyber Agency political administration has granted the status of ‘Lungi holder’ (tribal elder) to four representatives of minority communities living in the agency. Officials said that it was for the first time that minorities living in Fata were granted the status of tribal elders, thus formally merging the community into the tribal society.They said that those who were granted the status of ‘Lungi holder’, who in local parlays are referred as ‘Speen Rubay”, included All Fata Minorities Social Welfare Organisation chairman Wilson Wazir, Jamrud church caretaker James Michael and two representatives from Sikh community Gormeet Singh and Narenjan Singh. It is worth noting that A sizeable non-Muslim population has largely remained marginalised in the tribal heartlands for years. Although adherents of different faiths have been part of the historical fabric of the tribal areas, the question of inclusivity has always existed and radicalisation had only worsened problems.This move will make sure that minorities are no longer deprived of having resources at their disposal and have an official means to address their grievances. Previously the elders would either refuse attestation of their documents or would ask for gratification to complete the process. The federal government has also decided, in principle, to issue tribal domicile certificates to all the minority communities in FATA, while the FATA Secretariat is devising a new format for their inclusion. The domicile certificate for the minorities entitles them to their personal properties and an adequate share in government jobs in FATA.FATA already has a turbulent political structure and has been through its fair share of war and terror. Khyber Agency in particular has just come out of two military operations and decades of insecurity. That the tribal leaders in Khyber Agency have thought about the inclusion of minorities is commendable. This should also signal to the rest of Pakistan, that the people of FATA are ready for better integration into Pakistan.
pk.shafaqna.com
The Lungi Holder: Tribal minorities granted the status of tribal elders
