The very basic needs of residents of Fata cannot be taken care of and key social services to them cannot be ensured sans local government institutions. Most importantly without local government structures in Fata the state writ in the region cannot be established let alone exercised. There have also been administrative factors for not establishing elected assemblies in Fata. Successful military offensives namely Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad in Fata have significantly improved the security situation in the region and have created enabling milieu for putting in place local government institutions. But though the government is late in establishing local government institutions in Fata it is better late than never.

Source: The Express Tribune December 31, 2017 06:00 UTC