Lets look at people of FATA with compassion People of FATA beg our love and attention! Tarique Khan Javed, President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Dated 26th March 2012 The missing male folk: A visit to Khaber Pakhtunkhawa or KP is always a painful affair. Fifty percent of its Male population is forced to spend bulk of their lives outside the provinces for seeking livelihood. It has a very sad physical and sociological side effect. With little industry and lot of barren and unproductive land, its people especially those from FATA have no choice but to seek employment away from home and dear ones. Many stay outside for 30-40 years thus wasting most of their best years of life deprived of comforts of home and family. Thanks to the present Government, at last the people of the province have a name and a big embarrassment of having a funny direction as a name of their province is gone. The War on Terror has further reduced the attraction of the Area as an investment destination. While Rahay e Nijat operation moves towards its conclusion and over all terrorist activities have reduced, KP continues to be rocked by terror attacks as a retaliation of bold and tightening operations in former no go areas like North Waziristan, Khyber, Bajour etc. Life for terrorists in these Areas becomes more difficult with each passing day, as one after the other safe heaven is being overrun by our brave and overwhelming Armed Forces, duly helped by Air Force. Militarily the terrorist, be they Al Qaeda, Afghan or Pakistani Taliban are defeated and are running around doing desperate acts while mopping operation goes on. Plight of Mahsud tribe: I was able to visit WANA capital of South Waziristan on 21st Jan 2012 and found it firmly under control of our Armed forces; while the Wazirs were happy to be spared the fate of Mahsuds, who are completely blocked and isolated in their small Area. Wazirs traveling with me did not mind passing through 20 check post to reach WANA from Dera Ismail Khan. Mahsuds to avoid starvation are being compelled to take refuge in Government operated shelters near TANK. Baitullah Mahsud and his successor Najibullah Mahsud had their lime light and Press Conferences; now their Elders, women and children pay a heavy price for their fleeting glory. There is lack of sympathy for this poor lot as Baitullah Mahsud is perceived to be the brutal and cowardly killer of Benazir Bhutto. While listening to the tale of Mahsud tribe misery, I found my heart shut from usual compassion, as image of Benazir and many more victims of Mahsud brutality, kept flashing my mind. A sad state of my mind one could say, but this is where we have landed as a Nation, in my opinion. Military action in North Waziristan: On 23rd Jan 2012, Armed forces imposed a curfew on the capital of North Waziristan Miran Shah. I was asked not to go to Miran Shah when I tried to go there on 25th Jan. I had to return from the border on Tochi River. I was told than that a result of ongoing Military Operation the Area should be cleared in month or two. I again tried to visit Mir Ali and Miran Shah on my way to Razmak on 15th March 2012, but again denied entry as operations continue and “no Peshawari, Punjabi, Sindhi is allowed to visit”. I guess the main purpose of this instruction to transporters, is to ensure that no Pressmen enter and Report. Talk with some residents of Miran Shah in Bunnu indicted that Military is firmly in control of all Exit and Entry points and the Taliban resistance is down. Militants are running around in search of hideouts and are being hunted down on the Ground as well as from Air. Residents believed that the two Drone attacks on 13th March by US in which 17 militants including two important commanders Shams Allah and Amir Hamza were killed, was a co coordinated attack at the request of Pakistan Army. The location of attacks: Barmel and Sarakhora on the border between North and South Waziristan suggest that militants are forced to seek refuge in South as North is no more safe for them. Besides Bunnu the other entry point to North Waziristan is Thull. A small town at the edge of Kohat District which borders Khurram and North Waziristan Agency. In normal times going to Thull from Bunnu is easy via Mir Ali. However with that route closed, transporters have introduced a longer and more expensive route via Karkari, which entailed going towards Kohat till Banda Shah in Karak District, than taking a west word road to Thull passing Teri and Dalan. The detour is necessitated by the fort like formation of mountains of Waziristan with no gap or opening. Near Thull another major road coming from Kohat Town via Hungu valley meets road from Karak. This road continues upto Parachinar. From Thull regular Hi ace service to Mir Ali a junction where the main road from Bunnu to Miran Shah meets road coming from Thull. However here also the instruction to transporters was same like in Bunnu. Waziris with their long hair and mostly black turbans were boarding. However, I was told they would be subject to thorough scrutiny. Any one not carrying original NIC will be returned. This was also the case on the road to WANA. Implying that being Pakistani matters more than being a Waziri on this route now. Thus in theory once the current sensitive operation is over. All Pakistanis can visit both Waziristans, for business or pleasure. Let’s bring FATA in our care: The process of integration of region known as FATA into Pakistan proper has begun. Between 1947 and 2010 our military hold on the Region was very limited. By abandoning 4 key Cantonments of Tank, WANA, Jandola and Razmak in 1947 we lost control of the Area and it was used by all kind of Evil elements with impunity. Operation Rahay e Nijat launched in April 2910, proved very costly on our soldiers. With major heights under control of better equipped foreign funded Militants advance of our forces involved sacrificing thousands of our brave soldiers. Now almost two years on all major heights are under control of our forces and Militants movement is getting restricted by the day. It is logical to suggest given the topography of the Region that North Baluchistan like security environment will be established in FATA in coming one or two years. Where by Tribal Jirga will be free to manage their affairs in their respective Area while all Major Towns and population centers will remain under Government control with all Pakistani Laws applied, implying Civil Courts, Land Registry, Police etc. Tribes will ensure security of the Roads passing through their Area. Any failure punishable by painful punitive expedition by well established Armed forces in major towns. Once this is achieved consideration should be given convert the Agencies into Districts of KP. Thus ending the great injustice inflicted on the common people of FATA, in not incorporating their Area into British India when North Baluchistan was being grated that status. The main reason for not doing so was that Punjab Government, which would have endured the cost of having FATA in its Province, refused to do so as it thought it was financially not an attractive proposition. Financial consideration was not given that much importance, by Baluchistan Agency while incorporating impoverished Pakhtun belt into Baluchistan. The other explanation that the war like tribes man of FATA refused to be part of British India is in fact a popular mis conception. People of Waziristan which comprise 60pc of FATA, begged to be incorporated into British India as per Richard Bruce, Political Agent of Punjab, during s1890s, in Waziristan. However despite his recommendation to incorporate the Region , Punjab Government refused on financial consideration. Plight of Afridies and Shinwaries: My visit to Thorkham border in Khyber Agency gave me an insight as to why FATA was left as it is by various Governments, upto now. The Area is indeed useless and a burden. The 80 km stretch of land from Karkhano Bazaar at edge of green valley of Peshawar till Thorkham border their is noting about which something good can be said. One would like to do nothing with such dry, brown, dusty, tree less place. While passing this hellish landscape only one thing comes to ones mind why people would like to live in such hostile environment. The answer perhaps, as an important politician of ANP, belonging to Afridi tribe told me, is that that better organized Yusufzia tribesman, did not allow them to share the fertile land of Peshawar valley and pushed them into this hellish landscape. As the wise Afridi leader admitted it is indication of Afridi and Shinwari tribe weakness to be located in this hostile environment, not testament of bravery of these tribes as British stories would like to suggest. Same is true for other FATA agencies. Superior tribes pushed weaker tribes to less futile mountain Region. Within the less futile FATA regions the struggle to controlling better land continues. The Burke tribe of Waziristan has almost been expelled from their ancestral land; Mahsuds despite their fame, have been pushed into a barren land by better organized Waziris. Currently Waziris are resisting an intrusion in their land by Sulman Khel tribe from Baluchistan side, probably at the prompting of the Government to seal their escape route via Gull Ketch. These are just struggle of survival by desperate people; this does not mean any luxury or good life one would envy. Even the Wazirs have a very low standard of living with little hope of improvement. The money they made by renting their Region to financially strong Militant organization is gone now; with the arrival of Pakistan Army. Similarly other criminal activities like Extortion, Kidnapping for ransom, Arms and Drug trade is going to end now. Now these people need help like no time before. Let NGOs play a Role: After what happened following 9/11, the Internationalization of poverty issue in FATA, time has come to Incorporate FATA into Pakistan. This will open gate of International help from NGOs from all over the World. Considering the generous help that followed Earth Quake and Flood, there is no reason why the World will not help poverty stricken people of FATA. All we need is to tell the World, is that these are most poor in our land and not the dreaded blood seeking powerful worriers. They are just poor and they need help. They need clean water, food, medical help, education and most important jobs near home if possible. If Government of Pakistan, Western World, NGOs, And Overseas Pakistan join hand, we can take these some 6 million people, out poverty trap and make Pakistan and World at large a peaceful place. By keeping so many people in such abject poverty we have done a great crime. Now the time has come to correct this wrong. Lets look at people of FATA with compassion People of FATA beg our love and attention! Tarique Khan Javed, President, Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum Dated 26th March 2012 The missing male folk: A visit to Khaber Pakhtunkhawa or KP is always a painful affair. Fifty percent of its Male population is forced to spend bulk of their lives outside the provinces for seeking livelihood. It has a very sad physical and sociological side effect. With little industry and lot of barren and unproductive land, its people especially those from FATA have no choice but to seek employment away from home and dear ones. Many stay outside for 30-40 years thus wasting most of their best years of life deprived of comforts of home and family. Thanks to the present Government, at last the people of the province have a name and a big embarrassment of having a funny direction as a name of their province is gone. The War on Terror has further reduced the attraction of the Area as an investment destination. While Rahay e Nijat operation moves towards its conclusion and over all terrorist activities have reduced, KP continues to be rocked by terror attacks as a retaliation of bold and tightening operations in former no go areas like North Waziristan, Khyber, Bajour etc. Life for terrorists in these Areas becomes more difficult with each passing day, as one after the other safe heaven is being overrun by our brave and overwhelming Armed Forces, duly helped by Air Force. Militarily the terrorist, be they Al Qaeda, Afghan or Pakistani Taliban are defeated and are running around doing desperate acts while mopping operation goes on. Plight of Mahsud tribe: I was able to visit WANA capital of South Waziristan on 21st Jan 2012 and found it firmly under control of our Armed forces; while the Wazirs were happy to be spared the fate of Mahsuds, who are completely blocked and isolated in their small Area. Wazirs traveling with me did not mind passing through 20 check post to reach WANA from Dera Ismail Khan. Mahsuds to avoid starvation are being compelled to take refuge in Government operated shelters near TANK. Baitullah Mahsud and his successor Najibullah Mahsud had their lime light and Press Conferences; now their Elders, women and children pay a heavy price for their fleeting glory. There is lack of sympathy for this poor lot as Baitullah Mahsud is perceived to be the brutal and cowardly killer of Benazir Bhutto. While listening to the tale of Mahsud tribe misery, I found my heart shut from usual compassion, as image of Benazir and many more victims of Mahsud brutality, kept flashing my mind. A sad state of my mind one could say, but this is where we have landed as a Nation, in my opinion. Military action in North Waziristan: On 23rd Jan 2012, Armed forces imposed a curfew on the capital of North Waziristan Miran Shah. I was asked not to go to Miran Shah when I tried to go there on 25th Jan. I had to return from the border on Tochi River. I was told than that a result of ongoing Military Operation the Area should be cleared in month or two. I again tried to visit Mir Ali and Miran Shah on my way to Razmak on 15th March 2012, but again denied entry as operations continue and “no Peshawari, Punjabi, Sindhi is allowed to visit”. I guess the main purpose of this instruction to transporters, is to ensure that no Pressmen enter and Report. Talk with some residents of Miran Shah in Bunnu indicted that Military is firmly in control of all Exit and Entry points and the Taliban resistance is down. Militants are running around in search of hideouts and are being hunted down on the Ground as well as from Air. Residents believed that the two Drone attacks on 13th March by US in which 17 militants including two important commanders Shams Allah and Amir Hamza were killed, was a co coordinated attack at the request of Pakistan Army. The location of attacks: Barmel and Sarakhora on the border between North and South Waziristan suggest that militants are forced to seek refuge in South as North is no more safe for them. Besides Bunnu the other entry point to North Waziristan is Thull. A small town at the edge of Kohat District which borders Khurram and North Waziristan Agency. In normal times going to Thull from Bunnu is easy via Mir Ali. However with that route closed, transporters have introduced a longer and more expensive route via Karkari, which entailed going towards Kohat till Banda Shah in Karak District, than taking a west word road to Thull passing Teri and Dalan. The detour is necessitated by the fort like formation of mountains of Waziristan with no gap or opening. Near Thull another major road coming from Kohat Town via Hungu valley meets road from Karak. This road continues upto Parachinar. From Thull regular Hi ace service to Mir Ali a junction where the main road from Bunnu to Miran Shah meets road coming from Thull. However here also the instruction to transporters was same like in Bunnu. Waziris with their long hair and mostly black turbans were boarding. However, I was told they would be subject to thorough scrutiny. Any one not carrying original NIC will be returned. This was also the case on the road to WANA. Implying that being Pakistani matters more than being a Waziri on this route now. Thus in theory once the current sensitive operation is over. All Pakistanis can visit both Waziristans, for business or pleasure. Let’s bring FATA in our care: The process of integration of region known as FATA into Pakistan proper has begun. Between 1947 and 2010 our military hold on the Region was very limited. By abandoning 4 key Cantonments of Tank, WANA, Jandola and Razmak in 1947 we lost control of the Area and it was used by all kind of Evil elements with impunity. Operation Rahay e Nijat launched in April 2910, proved very costly on our soldiers. With major heights under control of better equipped foreign funded Militants advance of our forces involved sacrificing thousands of our brave soldiers. Now almost two years on all major heights are under control of our forces and Militants movement is getting restricted by the day. It is logical to suggest given the topography of the Region that North Baluchistan like security environment will be established in FATA in coming one or two years. Where by Tribal Jirga will be free to manage their affairs in their respective Area while all Major Towns and population centers will remain under Government control with all Pakistani Laws applied, implying Civil Courts, Land Registry, Police etc. Tribes will ensure security of the Roads passing through their Area. Any failure punishable by painful punitive expedition by well established Armed forces in major towns. Once this is achieved consideration should be given convert the Agencies into Districts of KP. Thus ending the great injustice inflicted on the common people of FATA, in not incorporating their Area into British India when North Baluchistan was being grated that status. The main reason for not doing so was that Punjab Government, which would have endured the cost of having FATA in its Province, refused to do so as it thought it was financially not an attractive proposition. Financial consideration was not given that much importance, by Baluchistan Agency while incorporating impoverished Pakhtun belt into Baluchistan. The other explanation that the war like tribes man of FATA refused to be part of British India is in fact a popular mis conception. People of Waziristan which comprise 60pc of FATA, begged to be incorporated into British India as per Richard Bruce, Political Agent of Punjab, during s1890s, in Waziristan. However despite his recommendation to incorporate the Region , Punjab Government refused on financial consideration. Plight of Afridies and Shinwaries: My visit to Thorkham border in Khyber Agency gave me an insight as to why FATA was left as it is by various Governments, upto now. The Area is indeed useless and a burden. The 80 km stretch of land from Karkhano Bazaar at edge of green valley of Peshawar till Thorkham border their is noting about which something good can be said. One would like to do nothing with such dry, brown, dusty, tree less place. While passing this hellish landscape only one thing comes to ones mind why people would like to live in such hostile environment. The answer perhaps, as an important politician of ANP, belonging to Afridi tribe told me, is that that better organized Yusufzia tribesman, did not allow them to share the fertile land of Peshawar valley and pushed them into this hellish landscape. As the wise Afridi leader admitted it is indication of Afridi and Shinwari tribe weakness to be located in this hostile environment, not testament of bravery of these tribes as British stories would like to suggest. Same is true for other FATA agencies. Superior tribes pushed weaker tribes to less futile mountain Region. Within the less futile FATA regions the struggle to controlling better land continues. The Burke tribe of Waziristan has almost been expelled from their ancestral land; Mahsuds despite their fame, have been pushed into a barren land by better organized Waziris. Currently Waziris are resisting an intrusion in their land by Sulman Khel tribe from Baluchistan side, probably at the prompting of the Government to seal their escape route via Gull Ketch. These are just struggle of survival by desperate people; this does not mean any luxury or good life one would envy. Even the Wazirs have a very low standard of living with little hope of improvement. The money they made by renting their Region to financially strong Militant organization is gone now; with the arrival of Pakistan Army. Similarly other criminal activities like Extortion, Kidnapping for ransom, Arms and Drug trade is going to end now. Now these people need help like no time before. Let NGOs play a Role: After what happened following 9/11, the Internationalization of poverty issue in FATA, time has come to Incorporate FATA into Pakistan. This will open gate of International help from NGOs from all over the World. Considering the generous help that followed Earth Quake and Flood, there is no reason why the World will not help poverty stricken people of FATA. All we need is to tell the World, is that these are most poor in our land and not the dreaded blood seeking powerful worriers. They are just poor and they need help. They need clean water, food, medical help, education and most important jobs near home if possible. If Government of Pakistan, Western World, NGOs, And Overseas Pakistan join hand, we can take these some 6 million people, out poverty trap and make Pakistan and World at large a peaceful place. By keeping so many people in such abject poverty we have done a great crime. Now the time has come to correct this wrong.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:48:48 +0000
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