US-Pakistan FATA Face Off Fears

[Riaz Haq]

"I've been to Waziristan. I can see how tough that terrain is. It's ruled by a handful of tribes", said Senator John S. McCain in a recent presidential debate referring to Waziristan "agency" in Pakistan's FATA region.

Often described in the world media as "lawless" and "a terrorists sanctuary", Pakistan's FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) region, particularly Waziristan, has been the topic of news, discussions and presidential debates in the United State this year. There are reports that President Bush has authorized US special ops covert strikes inside FATA. US presidential candidate Barack Obama has openly advocated US ground troops incursions and air strikes in FATA. While many Americans, including several prominent politicians and candidates for high offices, have heard about FATA, their knowledge appears to be very sketchy and completely inadequate for making potentially dangerous policy toward Pakistan. Even the "experts" and Washington think tanks do not fully understand or appreciate the consequences of FATA incursions by the US military. So what is FATA? What is its history? Who lives there? How is it governed or not governed? Can it turn into another Vietnam for the US troops? Let's try and discuss answers to these important questions.

What is FATA?

FATA is Pakistan's federally administrated tribal area. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the west with the border marked by the Durand Line, the North-West Frontier Province and the Punjab to the east, and Balochistan to the south. It is considered Pakistan's "wild west" where the inhabitants have always loved their guns and their freedom. The region, with its gun-loving culture, fierce independence and religious zealotry, was instrumental in Afghan Mujahedeen's successful resistance against the Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, and the region contributed to the defeat and eventual fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. It became home to millions of Afghan refugees in the 1980s, many of whom grew up there. The region's seminaries (also called madrassahs) are believed to have given birth to the Taliban (literally meaning "students") who ruled Afghanistan until the US invasion of 2001.

The total population of the FATA is estimated at 3m Pashto-speaking people (Pashtoons or Pathans), or roughly 2% of Pakistan's population. The people of the region share common language, culture and tribal traditions with their kin across the border in Afghanistan. Region's inhabitants' tribal ties are stronger than their national identities. In many cases, the Pakistan-Afghan border (called the Durand line, drawn by the British colonial officials) divides the tribes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Only 3.1% of the population resides in established townships. It is the most rural administrative unit in Pakistan.

FATA consists of seven "agencies", each nominally managed by Pakistan government's "political agents". The agencies are named Khyber, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, North and South areas of Waziristan and six FRs (Frontier Regions) namely FR Peshawar, FR Kohat, FR Tank, FR Banuu, FR Lakki and FR Dera Ismail Khan. The main towns include Miranshah, Razmak, Bajaur, Darra Bazzar, Ghalanai as Head Quareters of Mohmand Agency and Wana .

FATA Governance Model:

FATA is constitutionally part of Pakistan, but the Pakistani constitution says that the country's laws do not apply there- unless the president of Pakistan specifically decrees otherwise in certain circumstances. The tribes rule by the age-old jirga system that makes rules and dispenses justice. This governance model was developed by the British colonial government based on treaties with the Pushtoon tribes, and continued unchanged after Pakistan's independence. It relies on Political Agents (PAs), appointed by the governor of NWFP (North West Frontier Province) on behalf of Pakistan's president. The PAs are the highest officials of the state of Pakistan in tribal agencies. They do not directly rule or administer, but they work with the tribal chiefs (maliks) using carrots and sticks to influence the tribes' behavior. The PAs provide money, infrastructure support and other incentives to the maliks in exchange for cooperation. When such cooperation is not forthcoming, the PAs withhold funds, levy fines and, in rare circumstances, threaten the use of military force to bring them in line. The bottom line is that the system relies on the PAs cooperation with the maliks. Without it, the governance model falls apart. After repeatedly trying and failing to establish control, this system was codified by the British in Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) in 1901 and remains in force today. Like the colonial Britsh rulers of the past, no government in Pakistan has managed to take full control of FATA since the country's independence in 1947.

The American "Jihad" and FATA governance:

The joint American-Pakistani-Saudi inspired "Jihad" against the Soviet Union in the 1980s has fundamentally altered the power structure and governance in FATA. During this period, two new groups emerged to subvert the the traditional model: Military commanders and Mullahs. The military commanders who led the fight against the Soviets became increasingly powerful and influential because of their leadership abilities and competence as fighters and organizers. The mullahs, who were marginalized and ridiculed before the "Jihad", rose in status and influence because of the religious inspiration they provided for "Jihad". The power of the commanders and the mullahs was also bolstered by the large amount of funding from US, Saudi and Pakistani sources that they received and controlled in this period. The PAs and the maliks are no longer unchallenged as the de facto power brokers in FATA. The power is now more diffused.

Historically, the army only entered FATA at the invitation of the tribal leaders. More recently, however, the traditional tribal power structure has suffered powerful blows as the Pakistani military forcibly entered the tribal areas upon the urging of the Americans. These operations by Pakistani military have had very limited success at the cost of more than two thousand Pakistani soldiers' lives. The FATA tribesmen, familiar with the difficult terrain (rough and barren jagged hills, deep valleys, thousands of caves and mazes of tunnels) and having been well trained and equipped by the US and Pakistani special ops in the 1980s, have demonstrated their upper hand repeatedly in many encounters with Pakistani and US military along the Pakistan-Afghan border. According to various investigators and the press, most of the "militant" casualties claimed by US and Pakistani militaries have turned out to be non-combatants, often women and children, further fueling the anger and resentment of the locals.

US and Pakistani Options:

Clearly, the situation in FATA and Afghanistan must be dealt with to stop the Talibanization of the entire region with all its terrible consequences for the world. But the available options are not good. The use of raw, naked military power will not work. Turning this into a war between the US and Pakistan will only help Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Though long-term and difficult, the only viable and durable option for US and Pakistan is to try and restore the traditional role of the PAs and the maliks by strengthening their power and authority over their respective regions. This option will require a combination of lots of carrots and a few big sticks, with tremendous patience to achieve a lasting solution to one of the most difficult problems in the world. The FATA problems have developed in over two decades as unintended consequence of US-Pak-Saudi intervention in the Afghan "Jihad" of the 1980s. Quick and dirty solutions relying on powerful military force alone will quickly make the situation a lot worse than it is now.

Full-Scale US-Pakistan War:

Initially brief missions by US commandos in FATA will turn into a full-scale US invasion and war with Pakistan, leading to the US getting bogged down in a situation worse than Vietnam. Although it is a remote possibility, resort to tactical nuclear weapons by either Pakistan or the US or both sides can not be completely ruled out if the war gets very protracted and frustrating for all parties involved. Indian or Chinese intervention is also possible, even probable, if a large number of refugees start to pour out of Afghanistan and Pakistan into India and China. The law of unintended consequences will prevail, unless we learn from our past mistakes.

Plea for Sanity:

With Pakistani and US media scrutinizing every US incursion into Pakistani territory, this dangerous game can easily unleash pent-up anger on both sides. For the sake of world peace and security in South Asia, I hope and pray that sanity will prevail in Washington and Islamabad before the US goes too far with its limited, covert commando raids into FATA.

Related Links:

Violence, Governance and Islam in Pakistan by Jochen Hippler

Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan

McCain-Obama Debate Pakistan Policy

Radicals Target FATA Tribal Elders

[Riaz Haq]

UAE opens Dh19.8m cadet college in Wana, South Waziristan, #FATA #Pakistan http://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/uae-opens-dh198m-military-... … via @TheNationalUAE

The UAE has completed construction of a military college in Pakistan, at a cost of US$5.4 million (Dh19.8m), the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (UAEPAP) said on Saturday.

Cadet College Wana is the largest educational project in the South Waziristan region, the organisation said.

It was built under the directives of President Sheikh Khalifa, as part of UAEPAP’s continuing mission to provide humanitarian and developmental aid to Pakistan, and to support its educational sector.

State news agency Wam said the opening ceremony of the college was attended by General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan’s army chief of staff; Isa Al Basha Al Nuaimi, UAE ambassador to Pakistan; Abdullah Al Ghafli, director of UAEPAP; and UAE embassy staff, Pakistan army commanders and other officials.

Gen Sharif, Mr Al Nuaimi and Mr Al Ghafli unveiled a memorial plaque.

The officials also toured the college, whose facilities include technical and scientific laboratories.

Gen Sharif expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Khalifa for his support to Pakistan and for the UAE’s humanitarian initiatives, particularly during natural disasters and crises, as well as backing for development projects.

The UAE has provided a significant amount of assistance in tribal areas in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Gen Sharif said. He praised the college as an important project in the development of South Waziristan’s education sector.

Mr Al Nuaimi said that under the wise leadership of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE had supported the establishment of several humanitarian, educational, health and infrastructural projects through UAEPAP.

He also underscored the importance of the projects in lifting people’s living standards, as well as provision of services in the health, education and social sectors.

Waziristan is a mountainous area in north-west Pakistan. In 2013, UAE and Pakistani officials opened a US$38m road there, named after Sheikh Khalifa.

[Riaz Haq]

First university in #Pakistan tribal region, #Fata University, starts classes in four depts. #education https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/161141-Fata-University-starts-clas... … DARRA ADAMKHEL: The classes at four departments including Sociology, Political Science, Mathematics and Management Sciences have begun at the Fata University with 84 students enrolled for the Bachelor of Science degree programme.

 

The university located in Darra Adamkhel has the capacity to admit 120 students. However, 106 candidates submitted application for admissions while 84 of them were enrolled. None of the students who sought admission in the first-ever university in Fata is female.

 

The university premises have not yet been provided electricity, telephone connections and drinking water. Still the tribespeople have expressed joy over the opening of the university for students from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

 

Talking to The News, Vice-Chancellor Dr Syed Tahir Shah said the university had hired a consultant for preparing a master plan and design for the university. “The consultant would design the community centre, different blocks and other projects,” he added.

 

Dr Tahir Shah said the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) would start work on the project in 2017 after approval of the design by the government.

 

He said the Tribal Electric Supply Company would construct a dedicated feeder for the university while Pakistan Telecommunication Company would lay cables to its premises in Darra Adamkhel.

 

He added the government had approved a tubewell for the university while funds had been released for the projects.The vice-chancellor said that President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain had issued directives for making appointments on merit. “The President made it clear that it was a federal university and competent persons across the country should be recruited for it,” he added.

 

Vice-Chancellor Dr Tahir Shah explained that one professor, eight regular lecturers and five visiting lecturers had already been appointed while a selection committee had been constituted to recruit the administrative staff.

 

He pointed out that a selection board had been constituted to recruit senior officials and faculty members.He disclosed that students from Fata and also Hyderabad, Sindh, had got admission in the university. Meanwhile, the Registrar of the Fata University Tasbihullah and Controller of Examination Nasir Shah, have taken charge of their duties.

[Riaz Haq]

Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hospital opened in Pakistan

UAE continues humanitarian mission in Pakistan by opening new hospital

• 
  Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Saidu SharifImage Credit: WAM
  
  
• 
  Al Nuaimi, Al Gafli and Gen Sharif during the opening of the hospitalImage Credit: WAM
  
  
• 
  Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Saidu SharifImage Credit: WAM
  
  

( 1 of 3 )

‹›

#UAE-funded 100-bed $5.5 million Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed #Hospital opens in #Swat #Pakistan #KP

http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/shaikh-khalifa-bin-zayed-ho...

A 100-bed state-of-the-art Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Saidu Sharif, Swat District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, has been inaugurated at a cost of more than $5.5 million (Dh20.18 million).
It was implemented on the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow up of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to support the health sector of Pakistan.
Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Abdullah Khalifa Al Gafli, Director of UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (UAEPAP), toured different wards and sections and were briefed about latest health equipment installed in the hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Gen. Sharif extended thanks and appreciation to the Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, for their continuous support to Pakistan and their generous humanitarian initiatives.
He said the Emirati political leadership and people have provided significant support to the people of this area through establishing a number of humanitarian and development projects, which contributed to developing the infrastructure in the various sectors.

He added that Shaikh Khalifa Hospital is one of the most important health projects completed in the northwestern province of Pakistan.
In his speech, Al Nuaimi hailed the UAE’s humanitarian approach that supports fraternal and friendly peoples under the wise leadership of Shaikh Khalifa.
Under the UAEPAP programme many projects have been carried out in humanitarian, educational, health and infrastructural development including construction of bridges and provision of clean drinking water.
Shaikh Khalifa hospital is built on 5,430 square metres and has latest diagnosis, treatment, laboratory and medical equipment. The hospital has 3 surgery rooms, 3 admission wards, emergency and other departments.

[Riaz Haq]

Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) Development Authority has completed seven small dams and 13 small irrigation schemes since 2004 to till date.

https://nation.com.pk/06-Mar-2018/seven-small-dams-13-irrigation-sc...

Official source told APP here today that as a result of completion of these projects a huge land has been brought under cultivation.

As some of these completed projects are multi-purpose, therefore, a huge population is also benefited by using clean drinking water.

Moreover, the power generation projects have been initiated by Fata Development Authority which will play key role in reducing the energy crisis after their completion.

So far, Fata DA has completed these projects including Dargai Pal Small Dam, SWA, Dandy Small Dam, NWA, Moto Shah Small Dam Mohmand Agency, Sheen Kach Small Dam FR Tank, Zao Small Dam, Khyber Agency,Kand Small Dam, NWA, Ping Small Dam, FR Bannu, Sheen Warsak Irrigation Scheme, SWA, Musa Nikka Irrigation Scheme, SWA, Zeera Letta Irrigation Scheme, SWA, Sadda Weir Lower Kurram, Agency, Walai Killi Bazar Zakha Khel Irrigation Scheme, Khyber Agency,Pir Qayum Drinking Water, Kurram Agency, Makha Zai Irrigation Scheme, Kurram Agency, Zarwam Irrigation Scheme, FR Bannu, Jallandar Irrigation Scheme, Kurram Agency, Shahbaz Sum Irrigation Scheme, Kurram Agency, Shawa Irrigation Scheme, NWA, Maula Khan Sarai Irrigation Scheme, SWA.

[Riaz Haq]

#Pakistan’s borderlands win a say in their own administration. Poll on July 20th, in which candidates will vie for one of 16 slots in #KPK provincial assembly, is a milestone for Pakistan’s neglected #tribal areas. #FATA https://www.economist.com/asia/2019/07/20/pakistans-borderlands-at-... via @TheEconomist

Naheed afridi is something of a spectacle. She is canvassing for votes in Khyber district ahead of elections later this month. In a region where women are largely confined to their homes, her progress through villages near the Afghan border attracts curiosity and admiration, but also criticism. “I know I have challenged the ego of so-called strong men, and that’s why they tell me it’s against our religion and culture,” she says.

The poll on July 20th, in which candidates will vie for one of 16 slots in the provincial assembly, is a milestone for Pakistan’s neglected tribal borderlands: it is the first time they have been allowed to vote for local administrators. Since colonial times, the area has been run directly by the central government. But last year a constitutional amendment brought the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (fata), as the frontier zone used to be known, into the political and legal mainstream by merging it into the neighbouring province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In theory, that gives the region’s 5m inhabitants the same rights as other Pakistanis. But the ballot follows a military crackdown against the very movement for civil liberties which has recently been invigorating local politics.

[Riaz Haq]

Around 35,000 security personnel including #PakistanArmy deployed to maintain law and order during first-ever #historic #elections for 16 general seats of #KPK provincial assembly for merged areas of ex #FATA #tribal areas on July 20, 2019. #Pakistan https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/34497-security-personnel-depl...

Officials in KP Government told APP on Friday that a foolproof security plan has been chalked for election and army services were hired to avoid any untoward incident during election process besides provide safe environment to voters.

He said a total of 34,497 security personnel including Army, Khasadar, Levy, police, Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary have been deployed in the election areas.

The security personnel would be deployed inside and outside of most sensitive polling stations in all sixteen Constituencies in seven tribal districts including the lone frontier regions.

CCTV Cameras have been installed in every polling station to ward of any eventuality.

Carrying of arms and ammunition besides mobile phones and cameras inside polling stations were banned.

Aviation Surveillance would be made available on Election Day and quick response force and Bomb Disposal Squad Unit to also remain active. The health department staff would also available in hospitals for any emergency situation.

The official said army, civil administration, election commission and other law enforcing agencies are fully prepared for peaceful holding of polling process and maintaining law & order situation.

Strict action would be taken against elements involved in aerial firing on occasion of wining of a candidate.

[Riaz Haq]

Unofficial results of 10 seats of #tribal districts of #KPK assembly #elections so far. Of these, #PTI has won four seats. #ANP, #JUI (F) and #JI have won 1 seat each. #Pakistan #FATA #TribalsMakingHistory http://www.radio.gov.pk/20-07-2019/elections-on-16-general-seats-of...

The unofficial results of ten seats of Tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly have been announced so far. According to details, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf has won four seats.

PTI candidates Anwar Zeb Khan has been elected on PK-100 Bajaur , Ajmal Khan PK-101 Bajour II, Syed Iqbal Mian PK-109 Kurram II and Abid Rehman has been elected from PK-115 Frontier Regions .

Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Jamaat-e-Islami have won one seat each.

Nisar Muhammad of ANP has been elected as member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly from PK-103 Mohmand I and Muhammad Riaz of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) from PK 108 Kurram I and Siraj Ud din from PK-102 Bajaur III.

Similarly, independent candidate Shafiq Afridi has been elected from PK 105 Khyber I and Bilawal Afridi has won PK 106 Khyber II and Syed Ghazi Ghazan Jamal has won from PK-110 Orakzai.

[Riaz Haq]

Independents grab most seats in #Pakistan's merged #tribal districts’ #elections. Independents swept the elections winning seven seats. The #PTI won five, #JUI-F two and #JI and #ANP won one each. #fataelections http://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/07/tribal-area-elections-2019/

eople in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s newly merged districts cast their votes to elect provincial representatives on Saturday for the first time in history. The unofficial and unverified results have started pouring in. 

Independents swept the elections winning seven seats. The PTI won five, JUI-F two and JI and ANP won one each.

Sixteen seats are being contested in seven districts. Of the 285 candidates standing for the election, 202 are independent candidates. There are over 2.8 million registered voters in the area, of which 1.13 million are women.

At 16, the PTI has the most candidates contesting the election from a political party. The JUI-F has 15 candidates, ANP has 14, PPP and JI both have 13 and the PML-N has five candidates. Two women are also contesting the election – the ANP’s Naheed Afridi in PK-106 Khyber and JI’s Malasa Bibi in PK-108 Kurram.

A total of 1,897 polling stations have been set up across the merged districts. Of these, 482 have been reserved for men, 376 for women, and 1,049 are combined. Pakistan Army, police and Frontier Constabulary personnel have been deployed at polling stations across the seven districts.