Referendum in FATA

The entire administrative system of FATA revolves round the concept of collective tribal territorial responsibility. The entire tribe is held responsible for a misdeed or a crime committed by an individual of that particular tribe. Without touching the merits and demerits of that system let us admit that if the incidence of crime in the tribal region has been a fraction of the crime rate of settled districts of the country it is only because of this concept. Ask any civil servant who has served in any administrative capacity in the tribal belt. He would not like it to be disbanded.
Lately, there has been a talk about the nature of administrative system that is likely to come up after the army returns to barrack once the back of the terrorists is completely broken. The question which is being debated is this: Is the government going to do away with the concept of collective tribal territorial responsibility? If the answer to this question is in the positive which alternative system it has in mind which is going to replace it?
There is no denying the fact that there is absence of unanimity in the matter. A sizable number of tribesmen do not want any tinkering with their old riwaji system .They abhor the police, revenue and judicial system in vogue in the revenue districts which they believe is infested with rampant corruption .They prefer the jirga system which provides them with verdicts in double quick time, which is simpler, quicker and cheaper .Why should they replace it with a system which is cumbersome, time consuming and costlier.
Though umpteen commissions and committees after long deliberations had furnished their recommendations for carrying out reforms in the FATA, but matter being quite sensitive, it would be better if the government holds a referendum in the FATA for ascertaining the will of the common tribesman in the matter. Would they like to see the back of the concept of collective tribal territorial responsibility? Once their views are known on this particular point, it won’t be difficult to carry out reforms subsequently accordingly.