Back to a regressive order?

THE federal government’s proposal to revive the jirga system in the newly merged districts is being seen as a prelude to the restoration of the former tribal agencies’ semi-autonomous status. There may not be any specific plan on the table yet to revert to the old order, but the prime minister’s decision to form a committee headed by the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan to look into the matter has raised serious concerns.

A recent meeting of the committee members...