North Waziristan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

North Waziristan

District map of FATA and NWFP - Districts of

FATA are shown shown in blue, Waziristan is
located in the south.

Area km²

Population ()
• Density • /km²

Time zone PST (UTC+5)

Established
• Political Agent •
• Number of Tehsils •

Main language(s)

Website [1]

North Waziristan (Urdu: ‫ )شمالی وزیرستان‬is the northern part of Waziristan, a mountainous
region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11 585 km² (4,473 mi²).
It comprises the area west and south-west of Peshawar between the Tochi river to the north and
the Gomal river to the south, forming part of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas
(FATA). Miran Shah is capital of North Waziristan. The North-West Frontier Province lies
immediately to the east. The region was an independent tribal territory from 1893, remaining
outside of the British empire and Afghanistan. Tribal raiding into British territory was a constant
problem for the British, requiring frequent punitive expeditions between 1860 and 1945. The
region became part of Pakistan on independence in 1947.

Waziristan is divided into two "agencies", North Waziristan and South Waziristan, with estimated
populations (as of 1998) of 361,246 and 429,841 respectively. The two parts have quite distinct
characteristics, though both tribes are subgroups of the Waziris and speak a common Waziri
language. They have a formidable reputation as warriors and are known for their frequent blood
feuds. Traditionally, feuding local Waziri religious leaders have enlisted outsiders in the Pakistani
government, and U.S. forces hunting al-Qaeda fugitives, in attempts at score-settling. The tribes
are divided into sub-tribes governed by male village elders who meet in a tribal jirga. Socially
and religiously Waziristan is an extremely conservative area. Women are carefully guarded, and
every household must be headed by a male figure. Tribal cohesiveness is so strong through so-
called Collective Responsibility Acts in the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

In 1910 North Waziristan Agency was constituted as a full fledged agency with its headquarters
at Miranshah. It is inhabited by the Pashtun Wazirs and Daurs tribes. The agency lies from 32.35
degrees to 33.22 degrees latitudes and 69.22 degrees to 70.38 degrees longitudes. It is bounded
on the north by Afghanistan, Kurram Agency and Hangu District, on the east by Tribal Areas
Adjoining Bannu District and Tribal Area Adjoining Karak and Bannu Districts. On the south by
South Waziristan Agency and on the west also by Afghanistan. The total area of the agency is
4,707 square kilometres (1,817 sq mi).

Contents
[show]

[edit] Geography
Geographically, the whole of Waziristan is a single unit. However, for administration
convenience it has been split into two agencies, i.e. North and South Waziristan. The area has
been described as a land of high and difficult hills with deep and rugged defiles. The mountains
of North Waziristan are geographically apart from the larger mountain system of the Koh-e-
Sufaid in the north and the Sulaiman in the south. The Waziristan hills were subject to igneous
activity during the late Cretaceous period. The highly mineralized zone of Razmak is connected
with it. The mountains and hills form a rampart between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The average
height of the Waziristan hills is 1,500 to 2,500 metres (4,900–6,600 ft) above sea level. The
important ranges in the Waziristan hills are Derwesta, Laran, Vezda, Ingame, Shoidar, Shawal,
Eblunkai, Alexandra, Muzdak and Zakha.

The Tochi River flowing through the agency has formed the Tochi Pass named after the river,
through which armies, people and cultures have moved in and out of this region. The Tochi Pass
connects Ghazni in Afghanistan with Bannu in Pakistan. The Tochi River has carved a large and
important valley which is bounded by hills and mountains on all sides except the eastern side. It
is about 100 kilometres (60 mi) in length and opens up into the Indus Valley near Bannu. The
Tochi valley is fertile and cultivable. Ketu and Kurram are the two minor rivers which flow in
the northern part of the agency.

There are five notable rivers namely: Tochi; Kaitu; Kurram; Khaisor and Shaktue. There are
some streams namely: Khoni Aigad; Chashma Aigad; Saidgi Algad; Kanungo Aigad; Sagga
Aigad; Tauda China Algad; Damoma Algad; Tarkhobi Algad; Suedar Aigad.

[edit] Mining
Following minerals have been found in the area:

Copper associated with volcanics at Boya, Manzarkhel Spinkamar (east of Shora-Algad).

Manganese associated with cherts. Chromite associated with serpentinites. There are only two
mining sites of chromite at Mohammad Khel and Saidgi. In some hills ordinary stones are mined
for construction of buildings etc.

[edit] Climate
The climate of the area is cold in winter and warm in summer. Summer season starts from May
and continues till September. June is generally the warmest month. The mean maximum and
minimum temperatures during the month of June are 31 and 18 degree Celsius respectively. The
winter starts in October and continues till April. December. January and February are the cold
months. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures during the month of January are 10 and
minus 2 degree Celsius respectively. Rainfall is scanty except in the Razmak area where the
rainfall is slightly higher.

[edit] History
During Mughal rule, Waziristan was a part of the Mughal Empire, and once Bahadur Shah, son
of Aurangzeb personally visited this place and received the tribute from the Wazirs and Daurs.
After the fall of Mughal Empire, the emerging Sikh Empire and their Khalsa Army could extend
their sway up to Bannu only. Their short rule in this area was confined to sporadic forages. Both
tribes, Wazirs and Daurs accepted, the influence of the Mughal and Durrani Kings who counted
on them as a solid army always in readiness to help them in emergencies.

[edit] British era

When the British took over the administration of the settled district of Bannu in 1849, the tribes
of North Waziristan were under the sovereignty of the Kabul government. As both the Wazirs
and Daurs used to be at loggerheads amongst themselves, the Daurs invited the British to enter
their country in order to establish peace in this area and to give them protection from Wazirs. The
British, therefore, entered North Waziristan in 1894 and made agreement with the tribes. The
British introduced a regular system of land record and revenue administration for the most fertile
part of the Tochi valley. It was later in the year 1910 when North Waziristan was made a full
fledged agency. In 1935-36, a Hindu-Muslim clash occurred over a Hindu girl of Bannu, who
had married a Muslim which led to disturbance in Waziristan. The tribesmen rallied round one
Mirzali Khan, Tori Khel Wazir, who was later on given the title of the Faqir of Ipi. Jehad was
declared against the British and the Faqir of Ipi with his huge Lashkar (force) remained at war
with the British till the latter evacuated the area in 1947. The Faqir of Ipi died in 1960. In spite of
his opposition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the Jirgas in Waziristan decided in favour of
joining Pakistan.

[edit] Race and tribes

The chief tribes in North Waziristan are the Utmanzai Wazirs and Dawars. There are also small
tribes like the Gurbaz, Kharsins, Saidgis and Malakshi Mahsuds. These tribes, except Saidgis,
are Pakhtoons. According to the tribal annals they are descendants of Karlan, who in turn is
descended from Qais Abdur Rashid. Regarding their ethnic origin, some historians believe that
they are Semites, but it is the general belief that they are of Aryan origin. The traditions of the
tribesmen however indicate that they are descendants of Karlan, and are, therefore, generally
accepted as being a tribe of Karlanri Pashtuns. The Saidgis are the descendants of a Syed who
accompanied the founder of the Wazir tribe. The Wazirs dominate the hilly tracts; Khaisora.
Sherathala Plain, Kaitu valley, Lower stretches of the Kurram River and upper parts of Tochi
valley beyond Kharakamar. They are divided into three main sections, namely, Ibrahim Khel,
Wali Khel and Mamit Khel. These sections are further divided into several sub-sections. The
Dawars are divided into two main sections viz: Tur gun and spin gund. The inhabitants of village
Tappi, village Miramshah, Issuriand Khaidar khel are Tur gund and the remaining are spin gund.
In the time of Ahmad shah Abdali the total number of Dawars was 12000 and wazirs were
60000. The Tur gund of dawars are 3000 and the spingund are 9000. The traditional jarga of
spingund are still calling as "nazariza" (the meeting of all the 9000 spingund). Those living in the
administration control of Miran Shah tehsil are known as Upper Dawars and living in the
administration control of Mir Ali tehsil are known as Lower Dawars and the area occupied by
them is also known as Upper Dawar and Lower Dawar. They have settled in the fertile Tochi
valley, mostly on the left bank of Tochi river from Khajuri to Kharkamar. They are well educated
and well mannered as compared to wazirs, because most of the educational institutions are
falling in the area of dawars. Their lands are very fertile. The Kharsins are affiliated with Bora
Khel and Madda Khel Wazirs. They live near the Durand Line to the north-west of the agency
flanked by Madda Khel Wazirs and Saidgis. Mahsuds are the cousins of Wazirs; both have
common ancestor, viz. Wazirs. A section of Mahsuds called Bahlol Zai Malakshai occupy a small
portion of Razmak surrounded by Bora Khel and Tori Khel Wazirs. The Saidgis occupy Zoi
valley, Shawal. Dawegar and Dande plain near the Durand Line.

[edit] Dress and ornaments

The common dress of tribesmen consists of shirt, trousers, Waist-coat, sheet of cloth, turban and
Chappal. The Wazir woman wears a sleeved blouse or petti-coat and a long heavy shirt with
trousers. She covers her head and body with a sheet of cloth. A married woman wears coloured
trousers while unmarried wears simple trousers. On festivals and marriages Wazir women put on
colourful and ornamented blouses and multi-coloured frocks some times made of 40 metres
(130 ft) cloths. To further adorn themselves the women put on rectangular pieces of silver and
gold that hang on their forehead and side-ways down to ears. A Daur woman's dress is almost
similar to a Wazir woman. As footwear she uses Chappal of leather.

[edit] Food
The staple food of the tribesman is wheat or maize bread. Milk is taken in its various Forms.
Roasted meat Larmin is relished much.

[edit] Dwelling
The Daurs live in houses closed together in a compact area. In case of Wazirs a large joint family
lives either in one and the same house called Ket or Kot or in houses adjacent to one another, but
separated from the houses of the other families. A walled enclosure of mud or mud and stones.
three to five metres (16.4 ft) high is called Kot. Most of the Kots have fort like structure with a
tower in the centre of every' Kot used as a strategic point for fighting with the enemy, when
hostilities break out. Every section in a village has a Masjid and a common sitting place. One or
several households have a private guest house hujra attached to the house. [n a house there may
be one or several rooms.

[edit] Occupation
Due to the rugged nature of terrain and lack of education inhabitants look forward to government
services. Sizeable number of people earn their livelihood by going abroad for labour. Local
people have also invested in transport business.

[edit] Places of interest

Miran Shah town is the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency, It is connected with Bannu and
other important places in the agency by metalled roads. This town houses the offices of all
government departments in the agency and also serves as a market centre for people of the area.

Razmak valley is a summer resort. Ghulam Khan (on the Pakistan-Afghan border) and Keitu
valley (which is also along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border) are some of the other places of
interest in the agency.

[edit] Administrative setup

The agency is under the general charge of a Political Agent who administers civil, criminal and
revenue cases in accordance with Frontier Crimes Regulation and Customary Law. The North
Waziristan Agency consists of three sub-divisions and nine Tehsils. The Miran Shah sub-division
comprises the Miran Shah, Ghulam Khan, and Datta Khel tehsils. The Mir Ali sub-division
contains the Mir Ali, Spinwam, and Shewa tehsils. The Razmak sub-division consists of the
Razmak, Dossali, and Garyum tehsils. Each of the sub-division is headed by an Assistant
Political Officer/Assistant Political Agent. The Political Agent is assisted by three Assistant
Political Agents in criminal cases and other official work including matters maintaining law and
order in the agency. Assistant Political Agents assist the Political Agent in tackling problems of
the agency. They perform their duties like a Liaison Officer between the Political Agent and the
tribes. They also decide cases of minor criminal nature and civil suits. Political Tehsildars and
Political Naib- Tehsildars are in charge of Tehsils and their main duty is to control the tribes and
maintain law and order within their own areas. They are answerable to the Political Agent
through the Assistant Political Agent. They deal with all cases occurring in the protected area of
their respective Tehsils. Land revenue administration in some parts of the agency is carried on
exactly on the same lines as in the settled districts of Pakistan. The Frontier Crimes Regulation is
applicable in this area. Cases occurring in the unprotected area are decided by the tribes
themselves through their elders who are known as Maliks and Motabars. The Maliki system
introduced by British government was the same in North Waziristan Agency as functioning in
other FATA. Maliks use to work like a medium between administration and the Qaum or tribe. A
Maliki is hereditary and devolves on the son and his son so on and so both for which regular
benefits and subsidies are sanctioned from time to time. Lungi system known as Sufaid Resh is
slightly lower form of Maliki. In North Waziristan Agency there are 1620 Maliks and Lungi
holders.

[edit] Pakistan’s new Waziristan strategy

On June 4 the National Security Council of Pakistan met to decide the fate of Waziristan and take
up a number of political and administrative decisions to control “Talibanization” of the area. The
meeting was chaired by President Pervez Musharraf and it was attended by the Chief Ministers
and Governors of all 4 provinces. They discussed the deteriorating law and order situation and
the threat posed to state security.

The government decided to take a number of actions to stop the “Talibanization” and crush the
armed militancy in the Tribal regions and the NWFP.

The NSC of Pakistan has decided the following actions will be taken to achieve the goals:

• Deployment of unmanned reconnaissance planes

• Strengthening law-enforcement agencies with advanced equipment
• Deployment of more troops to the region
• Operations against militants on fast-track basis
• Focused operations against militant commanders
• Action against madrassah’s preaching militancy
• Appointment of regional coordinators
• Fresh Recruitments of police officers in NWFP

The ministry of interior has played a large part in the information gathering for the operations
against militants and their institutions. The Ministry of Interior has prepared a list of militant
commanders operating in the region and they have also prepared a list of seminaries for
monitoring.
The Government is also trying to strengthen the law enforcement in the area by providing the
NWFP Police with weapons, bullet-proof jackets and night-vision devices. The paramilitary
Frontier Corps will be provided with artillery and APC’s. The state agencies are also working on
studying ways to block FM frequencies of illegal FM radio channels.[1]