THE SYMBOL OF PROUD
HISTORY:
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is geographically located between the Durand line (Pak-Afghan border) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This semi-autonomous tribal land of FATA comprises seven “agencies” — Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan.
In the 19th century, when Russian empire was approaching southwards into Central Asia, the British government was concerned about this advancement. The British government in India proactively responded to the Russian threats thereby making attempts to take control of Afghanistan. These endeavours resulted in three Anglo-Afghan wars, fought in 1839-42, 1878-79 and 1919 respectively.
Although, Great Britain failed to occupy Afghanistan, yet it consolidated its power across the Indus River and established its rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, previously known as NWFP, and Balochistan provinces. Beyond the KP province, the British faced stiff resistance from tribal people in FATA. Afghan government was backing tribal people against the British invaders.
The colonial power contended itself with control over Fata when it felt that it was difficult to dominate Afghan territories. So, Afghanistan became a ‘buffer state’ between British India and Russia while FATA assuemed the status of a buffer zone between Afghanistan and British India.
To establish its writ in the tribal belt, the British government, keeping in mind the unique tribal structure of the region, devised an arbitrary law called Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). Through this law it established an administrative setup with combination of effective Political Agents and tribal elders, leaving common dwellers of the arae to follow and practice their traditions and enjoy internal independence.
The Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) was introduced in 1870s to enhance authority over the region. In the early 1900, judicial powers were bestowed upon the FCR administrative officials. These administrative officials then became Political Agents (PAs), who were paid by the British government. PAs work through the Maliks (elders and chiefs of tribes) to establish control and implement policies.
At the time of partition, the Maliks of FATA agreed to make their area a part of Pakistan provided their political, administrative and judicial system would be kept intact.
FATA became a flash point for the first time since 1919 Anglo-Afghan when the US announced a war against terrorism and invaded Afghanistan against the backdrop of 9/11 attacks on Twin Towers in New York.
FATA became a flash point for the first time since 1919 Anglo-Afghan when the US announced a war against terrorism and invaded Afghanistan against the backdrop of 9/11 attacks on Twin Towers in New York.
1.SOUTH WAZIRISTAN
2.NORTH WAZIRISTAN
3.KURAM AGENCY
4.ORAKZAI AGENCY
5.KHYBER AGENCY
6.MOHMAND AGENCY
7.BAJOUR AGENCY
1. SOUTH WAZIRISTAN
South Waziristan is a mountainous region of North-Western Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering an area of 6,620 square kilometers, with a total estimated population of 430,000. Waziristan is divided into two agencies for administrative purposes (South and North). It comprises the area west and south west of Peshawar between the Touchi River to the north and the Gomal River to the south. South Waziristan is the largest agency of FATA. It has two headquarters, Tank in winter and Wana in summer. The civil administration of South Waziristan Agency has been functioning since 1895 under a Political Agent who administers civil, criminal and revenue cases in accordance with the Frontier Crime Regulation and Customary Law. The Agency is divided into three administrative sub divisions: Sarwakai, Ladha and lower form of Wana. There are five tribes in the region; namely the Mahsud, the Ahmadzai Wazir of Wana, the Bhittani of Jandola, the Burki of the Kaniguram area and the Dotani near the border of Zhob.
TTP and the Mullah Nazir group of Wana are the main militant groups active in South Waziristan Agency.
2.NORTH WAZIRISTAN
North Waziristan borders South Waziristan, FR Bannu, FR Karak, Hangu, Kurram Agency and Afghanistan. Its capital is Miranshah and other major towns include Mir Ali and Razmak. It consists of three sub-divisions and nine Teshils. The population of North Waziristan is estimated to be 840,000. Its total land area is 4,707 square kilometers. It is an extremely conservative area socially and religiously. Major tribes include the Utmanzai and the Dawars. There are dozens of militant groups operating in the area. The major ones include Gul Bahadur Group, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Haqqani Network, Islamic Movement of Uzbikistan (IMU), Islamic Jihad Group (IJG), Punjabi Taliban and the Abu Akasha Iraqi Group. Mullah Nazir is an ally of Gul Bahadur Group and TTP here.
3.KURAM AGENCY
Kurram was declared as an agency in 1892 and was made part of Pakistan in 1947. Kurram Agency comprises three sub divisions including Upper Kurram (almost 80% Shia), Central Kurram(95% Sunni) and Lower Kurram(80% Sunni). The total area of the Agency is 3,380 square kilometers. The total population of the agency is estimated to be around 935,000. Kurram is surrounded by Afghanistan on three sides. In the south it borders North Waziristan. In the east, the agency borders the Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Orakzai Agency and Khyber Agency. In the north, the agency borders the Afghan province of Nangarhar where the famous Al-Qaida base Tora Bora is situated. Kurram Agency has a history of sectarian tension and clashes between the Sunni and Shia sects which resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides. Major Shia militant groups include Hizbullah, Mehdi Militia and Hydri Taliban. Major Sunni militant group include TTP, Tehrik e Taliban Islami Pakistan (TTIP) of Fazal Saeed Haqqani and Haqqani Network. Fazal Saeed Haqqani has separated from TTP and formed TTI P.
4.ORAKZAI AGENCY
Orakzai Agency is spread over an area of 1,538 square kilometers. It is bounded by Kurram Agency in the west and Khyber in the north, Kohat district in the south and Peshawar in the east. Orakzai Agency is a mountainous tract dissected by numerous dry water courses especially in the south western part of the agency. It was made an agency in 1973 by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The capital of Orakzai Agency is Kalaia Town. The Orakzai are the main tribe with four other major non Orakzai tribes including the Ali Khel, the Mullah Khel, the Mishti and the Shaikhan. However, these tribes have been assimilated into the Orakzai culture and are considered to be Orakzais. Total population of the area is estimated to be 530,000.
TTP is the main militant group active in Orakzai Agency, along with some reported activity by the Shia Hydri Taliban. The presence of one Shia Hydri Taliban is also expected there.
5.KHYBER AGENCY
Khyber Agency covers a total land area of 2,576 square kilometers. The agency’s headquarters are Peshawar in winter and Landikotal in summer. The major tribe in Khyber Agency is the Afridi with eight major sub tribes. However there are important pockets of Mallagoris, Shilmanis, and Shinwaries. The population of the area is estimated to be 600,000. Lashker-e-Islam of Mangal Bagh Afridi, Ansar ul Islam of Qari Mahboob ul Haq, the Naamdar group and the Tariq Afridi Group of TTP are the main militant groups active in Khyber Agency. Mangal Bagh Afridi, a local militant, is currently in conflict with the Tariq Afridi group of TTP who are encroaching from Darra Adam Khel.
6.MOHMAND AGENCY
Mohmand Agency was created in 1951. Ghalanai is its capital town. The total area of Mohmand Agency is 2,296 square kilometer with an estimated population of 325,000 with an estimated 32,000 households. It is bounded by Bajaur Agency in the North, Khyber Agency in the South, Malakand and Charsadda districts in the East and Peshawar district in the Southeast. The agency is inhabited by many tribes including the Mohmand, the Musa Khel, the Daud Khel, the Mero Khel, the Safi, the Tarakzai, the Utman Khel and the Halimzai. Safi is a small tribe but it is the most radical tribe in Mohmand Agency; Omar Khalid, the head of the insurgency in Mohmand, is also a Safi. TTP is the main militant group active in Mohmand Agency.
7.BAJOUR AGENCY
(Kakazai, Wur and Salarzai) as well as a small population of Safis. The Utman Khels are at the southeast of Bajaur while Mamund are at the southwest and the Tarkani are at the north of Bajaur. Its border with Afghanistan’s Kunar province makes it of strategic importance to FATA and Pakistan in general. The main militant groups in the region are Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehrik Jaish Islami Pakistan, the Karawan Naimatullah group, the Dr Ismail Group and the Moulana Abdullah Group.
2 comments:
Really informative.
excellent
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