The Malik effect: Tribal influence continues to haunt FATA elections – The Express Tribune

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In August 2011, President Asif Ali Zardari extended the Political Parties Act of 2002 to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), a move locals hoped would pave the way for the area to be free from tribal obligations in politics. Whether the extension of the act brought some real change or not is arguable, but what is apparent is that residents are still bound to their clan and to the traditional power holders. Bringing Fata under the act gave political parties the mandate to operate as freely as they do in the rest of the country. Before the extension, MNAs from Fata were not allowed to join any political party. For former general secretary of the Tribal Union of Journalists, Taj Muhammad, the fact that all major parties are contesting elections from Fata makes it a historic moment for the tribal belt.

 

However, he argued all political parties’ candidates were seeking votes on the basis of their tribes. The parties are no different; they have allotted tickets to candidates belonging to the Maliks or the privilege holders of old, maintained Taj. In Mohmand Agency, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has awarded a party ticket to Dawood Shah, the grandson of a Malik. While in Bajaur, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket went to the Khan of Pashat. The Pakistan Peoples Party awarded tickets to Tori tribe members in Kurram and Orakzai – who in the past won as independent candidates. According to Taj, all candidates in these constituencies have strong tribal backgrounds.
See on tribune.com.pk