ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday experienced heated discussion among the members on implementation of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) reforms.

The discussion was started by Leader of the Opposition Syed Khusheed Ahmed Shah who had raised the issue of opposing implementation of reforms by one of the allied parties of the government.

However, Minister for State and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch, towards the end of discussion, reiterated commitment of the government by stating that it was not under pressure by allies.

PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi said it was general perception that the current session was summoned keeping in view the importance of FATA issue. “But, opposing the process by one of the government allies smelled foul as opposition parties had no objection on merger of FATA into KP".

Later, PKMAP leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai observed that no law should be passed against the will of FATA people.

"We need to ask FATA people what they desire and respect opinion. Do not extend any law to FATA against their will, it will be unconstitutional and undemocratic", he remarked.

After his comments, Shah Mahmood Qureshi contested that Achakzai had mentioned his name and he responded in a fiery tone stating that nobody could stop him or his party in the House.

"FATA does not belong to people of FATA alone as it belong to every Pakistani. How can it be stated that not this parliament that has representation of members from FATA, cannot decide about future of FATA".

His comments were continuously being supplemented by vocal Dr Shireen Mazari.

During the course of proceedings, the Speaker had been asking again and again Dr Mazari to lower her voice and stop disrupting the proceedings. — APP