Islamabad, Aug 14 - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has announced political and judicial reforms in the northwestern tribal region during a special function on the eve of Pakistan's 63rd Independence Day.

'...I am announcing the permission of political activities in the FATA to bring them into the main political stream,' he said while addressing the nation during a special programme organised Thursday night, the official APP news agency reported.

'The government has fulfilled its promise and now people in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) can have an identity as they will participate in political activities and exercise their right to vote,' the president said.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Senate Chairman Farooq Naek and National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza were among the dignitaries present at the function.

President's spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the package of political reforms for FATA had been approved a day earlier in a meeting that was also attended by the prime minister, the Dawn reported.

Babar said the reforms envisaged extension of the Political Parties Order of 2002 to the tribal areas and changes in the century-old Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) to make it responsive to human rights.

After amendments to the law approved Wednesday, the powers of arbitrary arrest and detention without the right to bail had been curtailed, he said.