Legal Implications of the Merged Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Abstract

The merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in 2018 marked a significant constitutional and administrative shift in Pakistan's governance structure. This study examines the legal implications of this merger, focusing on the constitutional amendments, the repeal of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), and the integration of FATA into the provincial legal and administrative framework. The research highlights the challenges and opportunities arising from this transition, including the extension of judicial authority, the establishment of new administrative structures, and the socio-legal impact on the tribal communities. Through a critical analysis of legislative documents, judicial decisions, and scholarly articles, the paper provides a nuanced understanding of the legal transformations in the merged regions. The findings underscore the complexities of integrating a historically autonomous region into a provincial system, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legal reforms and capacity-building initiatives to ensure effective governance and justice delivery in the newly merged districts.