orakzai agency beauty

orakzai agency operation

history of orakzai agency

The Orakzai tribes take their name, which literally means the lost son (Wrak Dzoy), from a romantic legend about their ancestor, Sikandar Shah, who was a prince from Iran, was exiled or lost, and after many adventures married and ruled in Tirah. The tribal area now forming Orakzai Agency was previously included in Frontier Region Kohat district and remained as such until 30 November 1973.
The Biland Khel, a small pocket measuring about 6.5 square kilometres, is also part of this agency and lies a couple of kilometres off Thall, bordering North Waziristan and Kurram agencies. Responding to a long-standing demand of the Orakzais, the then President of Pakistan announced the creation of Orakzai Agency on 3 November 1973 and was formally inaugurated on 1 December 1973. Prior to its upgrading to agency status, this area was administered as a Frontier Region of the Kohat district by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohat.
The Orakzai Agency consists of two sub-divisions: Upper sub-division and Lower sub-division. The Upper sub-division comprises two Tehsils, Upper Tehsil and Ismailzai Tehsil, while the Lower sub-division also has two Tehsils, Lower Tehsil and Central Tehsil. The land of the Orakzai tribes is located between 33° -33' to 33° -54' north latitudes and 70° -36' to 71° -22' east longitudes. It is bounded in the north by Khyber Agency, in the east by FR Kohat, in the south by Kohat and Hangu districts, and in the west by Kurram Agency. The total area of the agency is 1,538 square kilometres
There are eighteen major Orakzai tribes:

1. Ali Khel
2. Mullah Khel^{[citation needed]}
3. Mishti ^[1]
4. Shikhan^{[citation needed]}
5. Rabia khel^{[citation needed]}
6. Ber muhammed khel^{[citation needed]}
7. Mani khel^{[citation needed]}
8. Feroz khel^[1]
9. Massozai^{[citation needed]}
10. Akhel^{[citation needed]}
11. Mamozai
12. Sepoy^{[citation needed]}
13. Ali Sherzai^{[citation needed]}
14. Mirazi khel^[1]

However, these tribes have been assimilated into the Orakzai culture and are considered^{[by whom?]} to be Orakzai. Certain Orakzai tribes like the Masozai and half the Lashkarzai find themselves in Kurram Agency for historical and administrative reasons. A small Bangash tribe, the Buland Khel, is attached to the Orakzai agency also for administrative and historical reasons, although they live at some distance from the agency between Thal and North Waziristan.^{[citation needed]}
Then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto announced the creation of the agency at a grand tribal jirga at Samana and it began functioning on 1 December 1973. Before this, the Orakzai tribes were part of the Kohat and Hangu Frontier region. The headquarters of the agency are at Hangu District, but tehsil-level headquarters are situated in Kalaya and Ghiljo.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Geography

The valley is flanked by mountain ranges 6,000 to 7,000 feet (2,100 m) high. Among the seven tribal agencies, Orakzai Agency is the second smallest in area after Bajaur Agency. It is bounded by Kurram Agency in the west, Khyber in the north, Kohat District on the south and Peshawar in the east. The whole of the territory of Orakzai agency is a mountainous tract dissected by numerous dry water courses, especially in the south-western part of the agency. The two major streams are the Mastura River and Khanki Toi River, both of which originate from the hills to west and run the east.^{[citation needed]}
Orakzai Agency is a hilly region with a fertile valley. The elevation of the hills varies from over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in the west and to less than 6,650 feet (2,030 m) in east. Generally the elevation of the plain varies from 5,200 to 5,500 feet (1,700 m) above sea level. Important peaks are Sangla (6325 ft) and chara Kandaco (5643 ft). The height of Kalaya and Sangla is nearly equal.^{[citation needed]}
Orakzai Agency is characterized by intensely cold winters and mild summers. December, January and February are the coldest months and snowfall occurs in these months. Summers are mild and the maximum temperature does not go above 30 degrees Celsius. Surrounding mountains are covered by dense and thick forests, which produce a cooling effect in summer. Due to geographical position of Orakzai and its thick forest cover, it rains throughout the year. In winter, the precipitation is in the form of snowfall over the surrounding mountains as well as in valley itself. There is no rain gauge, but rainfall is estimated to be around 36 inches (910 mm) per year.

[edit] Subdivisions

[edit] Upper Orakzai

Upper Orakzai is a National Assembly constituency situated in the Orakzai Agency.^[2]
Some of main areas of Upper Orakzai include:

• Dabori^{[citation needed]}
• Kool

[edit] Lower Orakzai

• (Sultan Zai) most of the land of Sultan Zai, which is about 10000 canals, of one well known family of khan Hashmatullah khan son of rafi ullah khan who give 480 canals land to the government for the kalaya headquarters.
• (Kalaya)

The Shia area includes Zira, Andkhel, Merazai, Dorankai, Kalaya, Kada, Thangai, Jabber, Kadola, Dappa, Sra Mela, Choryano Mela, Kharkai, Khamal, Maura, Abu dak, Handou, Laka seza, Dargee, Dobsana, Kurez, Pera, star sam, Sepoy, and Darwazeye etc. An astonishing feature of Mani Khel darra (A town near Kalaya) is a natural tunnel, called Nanawar. Locals state that no one has been to the end of the tunnel so far. The people are less educated, however they are social. They still maintain Hujra system, a symbol of their unity and community culture. Lower Orakzai has some very good landscapes and picnic spots, featuring lush green meadows and mountains covered by forests, however there are no hotels for stay and no tourists schemes. The people are very much hospitable, and they provide accommodation to the guests in Hujra. Coal and wood are the major product of the area. Crops are grown on a small level while others items of daily use are purchased from Kohat and Hangu.

[edit] Culture

Culture of the area is dominantly pashtoon, with people adhering strongly to the pashtoon code of conduct also known as "Pakhto or Pashtunwali". Religion is evident in their lifestyle. People are very much social and maintain Hujra culture. Hujra is a community center, guest house, meeting place, court and shelter. People adhere strongly to the jirga system for peace and justice where saying of the respectable elders is observed by everyone. Jirga system provides swift, quick and accessible justice. People are hospitable, religious minded, social and have strong and violent sentiments of revenge. They love music but hate singers, love weapons but hate to be a part of some army. Self liberty, freedom of speech and self esteem is the specialty. Anyone can raise its voice for any injustice, everyone is respected. Oppressors are hated and oppressed are supported, even a widow can summon the most powerful person of the area to justice. Instead of all these good qualities, the moster of sectarian clashes and talibanization fades the beauty of the culture.

[edit] Talibanization and Army offensive

Talibanization of the area started back in 2006 when sectarian violence was at apex. In start, Taliban were welcome because no one knew their actual objectives, they intermingles with the locals in start and when they were in sufficient numbers, they started to dictate the people. The local people found themselves helpless and were forced to obey. Shia population resisted talibanization in the first place. After a humiliating defeat in Waziristan, Taliban fled to Orakzai Agency. Very soon the area witnessed intense violence and the Army started an unannounced offensive(Orakzai and Kurram offensive). The army cut them in the west from Kurram agency, in the south from Kohat and in the east from Bara and started a three pronged attack, locals supported the army to their capacity and soon they were forced to flee and evacuate the lower sub division. Heavy damages were inflicted upon them in the upper sub division also and their influence in the area reduced very much. This resulted in the mass evacuation of the IDPs towards Kohat and Hangu where they were given shelter in camps. The situation is defused greatly and now coming to normal.

Lower Orakzai Agency Village Jalaka Mela. It is a small village in the centre of Lower Orakzai Agency. People say it the Heart of Orakzai. Sohbat Khan the leader of Orakzai belong to this village.

orakzai agency taliban

حکومت نے جرگہ کو اورکزئی ایجنسی میں عسکریت پسندوں کے خلاف کسی قسم کی کارروائی نہ کرنے کی یقین دہانی کرائی ہے قبائلی علاقے اورکزئی ایجنسی میں مقامی طالبان نے قبائلی جرگہ کی درخواست پر اپنے زیر قبضہ تمام سرکاری چیک پوسٹوں اور سکولوں کو حکومت کے حوالے کرنے پر آمادگی ظاہر کردی ہے۔ تاہم اس سلسلے میں حتمی فیصلہ اتوار کو متوقع ہے۔ طالبان کے بقول اس کے بدلےمیں حکومت نے جرگہ کو اورکزئی ایجنسی میں عسکریت پسندوں کے خلاف کسی قسم کی کارروائی نہ کرنے کی یقین دہانی کرائی ہے۔ اورکزئی ایجنسی میں مقامی طالبان کے ترجمان مولوی حیدر نے بی بی سی سے بات کرتے ہوئے تصدیق کی کہ ایجنسی کے علماء کرام اور مشران پر مشتمل جرگہ کے ساتھ کامیاب مذاکرت کے بعد فیصلہ ہوا ہے کہ ان کے زیر قبضہ تمام لڑکوں اور لڑکیوں کے سکولوں اور چیک پوسٹوں کو خالی کرکے جرگہ کے حوالے کیا جائےگا۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اس کے بدلے میں جرگہ نے یقین دہانی کرائی ہے کہ ایجنسی میں حکومت کی طرف سے ان کے خلاف کوئی کارروائی نہیں کی جائیگی۔ ان کے مطابق جرگہ نے ضمانت دی ہے کہ سرکاری چیک پوسٹوں پر طالبان کو بلا روک ٹوک آنے جانے کی اجازت ہوگی جبکہ انہیں کچھ نہیں کہا جائےگا۔ دریں اثناء صوبہ سرحد کے ہوم سیکرٹری ٹیپو محبت خان نے کہا ہے کہ اورکزئی قبائل نے باہمی دوشمنیاں ختم کرتے ہوئے شدت پسندوں کے خلاف اتحاد کرلیا ہے۔ پشاور میں ایک اخباری کانفرنس سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ سنیچر کو اورکزئی ایجنسی کے عمائدین اور علما ء کرام پر مشتمل ایک نمائندہ جرگہ نے پولیٹکل ایجنٹ اورکزئی سے ملاقات کی جس میں گزشتہ روز قبائل کی طرف سے ڈبوری میں ہونے والی ’اسلام زورنہ قوم زورنہ’ کی توثیق کی گئی۔ انہوں نے جرگہ کی کارروائی صحافیوں کے سامنے پڑھ کر سناتے ہوئے کہا کہ تمام قبائل نے فیصلہ کیا ہے کہ ایجنسی میں کسی غیر مقامی کو پناہ نہیں دی جائیگی اور تمام سرکاری سکول، سرکاری عمارتیں اور چیک پوسٹوں پر شدت پسندوں کا قبضہ ختم کردیا جائے گا۔ ان کے بقول جرگہ نے یقین دہانی کرائی ہے کہ علاقے میں کسی متوازی حکومت کی اجازت نہیں دی جائیگی جبکہ خلاف ورزی کرنے والوں کے خلاف علاقے کے روایات کے تحت کاروائی کی جائیگی۔ جرگہ کی سربراہی مولانا فضل وہاب کررہے تھے جبکہ دیگر ممبران میں مفتی محمد قاسم، مولانا محمد ستار، مولانا عبد الجبار، مولانا حبیب نور، مولانا حسین اصغر، محمد حسین جلالی، مولانا محمد رفیق، مولانا نازبر خان اور مولانا مسلم خان شامل ہیں۔ واضح رہے کہ ہنگو میں سکیورٹی فورسز کی طرف سے جنگجوؤں کے خلاف آپریشن شروع ہونے کے بعد فوجی دستے طالبان کا پیچھا کرتےہوئے اورکزئی ایجنسی کے کچھ علاقوں میں داخل ہوگئے ہیں۔ تاہم ایجنسی کے اندر کسی ممکنہ کارروائی سے بچنے کےلیے قبائل اکٹھے ہوئے اور آپس میں ایک اتحاد بنایا جبکہ علاقے کو طالبان کے حوالے کرنے کی بجائے خود اپنے ہاتھوں میں رکھنے کا فیصلہ کیا۔

orakzai agency damaka

دس اکتوبر کو بھی ایک مبینہ خودکش بمبار نے طالبان مخالف جرگے کو نشانہ بنایا تھا اطلاعات کے مطابق پاکستان کے قبائلی علاقے اورکزئی ایجنسی میں ہونے والے ایک بم دھماکے میں چھ افراد ہلاک اور دس کے قریب زخمی ہوگئے ہیں۔ دوسری طرف صوبہ سرحد کے ضلع سوات میں طالبان نے عیدالاضحی کے احترام میں ایک ہفتے تک یکطرفہ جنگ بندی کا اعلان کردیا ہے۔ قبائلی علاقے اورکزئی ایجنسی کے پولٹیکل حکام کا کہنا ہے کہ جمعہ کی دو پہرایک بجے کلایہ کے علاقے میں بارود سے بھری ایک گاڑی ریموٹ کنٹرول بم سے اڑائی گئی ہے جسکی وجہ سے قریب کھڑے چھ افراد ہلاک اور دس زخمی ہوگئے ہیں۔ انکے بقول مارے جانے والے تمام افراد اس وقت پہرہ دینے میں مصروف تھے۔زخمیوں کو قریبی ہسپتال پہنچایا گیا ہے جہاں پر بعض کی حالت نازک بتائی جارہی ہے۔اورکزئی ایجنسی میں باقی علاقوں کی طرح طالبان کےاثر و نفوذ میں دن بدن اضافہ دیکھنے میں آرہا ہے۔ دس اکتوبر کو بھی ایک مبینہ خودکش بمبار نے طالبان مخالف جرگے کو نشانہ بنایا تھا جس میں اسی سے زائد افراد ہلاک جبکہ ایک سو تیس زخمی ہوگئے تھے۔ دوسری طرف صوبہ سرحد کے ضلع سوات میں طالبان نے عیدالاضحی کے احترام میں سنیچر سےایک ہفتے تک یکطرفہ جنگ بندی کا اعلان کیا ہے۔ طالبان ترجمان مسلم خان نے بی بی سی کو بتایا کہ یہ فیصلہ اس لیے کیا گیا ہے تاکہ عام شہریوں کو خوشی کے اس موقع پر سکیورٹی فورسز کی فائرنگ کا نشانہ نہ بنے تاہم انہوں نے واضح کیا کہ وہ اپنے دفاع میں حملے کا جواب دیں گے۔ ادھر صوبہ سرحد کے جنوبی ضلع بنوں میں پولیس سربراہ محمد عالم شنواری کا کہنا ہے کہ گزشتہ رات ایک پولیس چوکی پر راکٹ حملہ ہوا ہے جس میں ایک اہلکار ہلاک جبکہ ایک زخمی ہوگیا ہے۔

Orakzai Agency, Suicide Bombing, terrorism

Pakistan :

In a most horrific instance of suicide bombing in Orakzai Agency, a suicide bomber crashed his car at the gate of a school and killed at least six people while also injuring a number of others. The incident took place in the Kalaya area of Orakzai where a public fair was being held in a ground that hosts the building of a school. When the gatekeeper and a peon tried to stop the car at the gate of Islamia Public High School in Kalaya, the explosive-laden car went boom claiming six live on spot including the gatekeeper and the peon.

Schools in Orakzai area have been the target of coercion and all the schools in the Upper Orakzai have already been closed while schools in the lower part of the agency are still working. However, this incidence marks the onset of open aggression on schools in the area. The intention of terrorism is thus masked in fundamentalist Islamic attitude of banning modern education by means of force. Despite the repeated incidence of suicide bombing in the area, people have mainly remained careless of taking security measures for safety purposes. However, people in the area are generally motivated toward modern education and only those people don’t send their kids to schools who cannot afford to pay the school expenses or who want to get the incentives offered by Islamic madrassas.

 

Sikh families leave Orakzai after Taliban demand jizia

Sikh families leave Orakzai after Taliban demand jizia

By Abdul Saboor Khan HANGU: Sikh families living in Orakzai Agency have left the agency after the Taliban demanded Rs 50 million as jizia (tax) from them, official sources and locals said on Tuesday.

Residents of Ferozekhel area in Lower Orakzai Agency told Daily Times on Tuesday that around 10 Sikh families left the agency after the demand by the Taliban, who said they were a minority and liable to pay the tax for living in the area in accordance with sharia. Locals said the Taliban had notified the Sikh families about the ‘tax’ around a week ago.

They said of the 15 Sikh families in Ferozekhel, 10 had shifted while the remaining were preparing to do so. The locals said the families were impoverished and had left the area to avoid any Taliban action.

Daily Times —- 15th April, 09

Orakzai becomes new haven for Taliban

Orakzai becomes new haven for Taliban —- Daily Times — 4th Feb, 09
* Residents say Taliban forces have introduced sharia law in region

* Analysts claim militants can reach Peshawar unless government restrains them

By Abdul Saboor KhanHANGU: The Talibanisation of Orakzai Agency in the past few months has resulted in a drastic change in the lifestyles of the tribal residents, as the political administration has retreated and is now restricted to functioning in its Hangu district headquarters. “Talibanisation has taken strong roots in Orakzai and the region is now run by the Taliban council, which has introduced sharia law,” tribesmen who have moved from Orakzai to escape Taliban-style rule told Daily Times on Tuesday.

Orakzai, which borders Kurram in the west and Hangu district in the east, provides a means to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to expand its influence to Peshawar through Khyber Agency.

The organisation has already made its presence in the region known by attacking truck terminals for Afghanistan-bound supplies for NATO and US forces. Despite government attempts to block their infiltration, the Taliban recently celebrated their “complete control” over the region by inviting a group of journalists to the area in a show of power.

According to former residents, the Taliban have set up their own courts to provide ‘justice’ to the people. They said that the traditional tribal jirga system had been abolished and all development schemes had been halted.

The anti-polio drive has also failed and local and foreign militants are seen manning checkposts that were previously held by government forces. “The Taliban have set up sharia courts in Ghaljo, Kundi Mishi, Dabori, Mashti Meli and Ferozkhel in Upper Orakzai,” the residents added.They said the Taliban council had banned women from travelling outside their homes without the escort of male family members. “There is a ban on music and dancing during wedding ceremonies; working of NGOs; and development works,” they added. Each area now has its own Taliban chief and is patrolled by Taliban militants to keep the local population under the control of the TTP, the residents said.Warning: With the increasing Taliban presence in Orakzai, the pressure is now mounting on Hangu district, where analysts suggest the TTP is fuelling sectarian strife to extend their base.

They have warned that unless the government acts to protect the strategic Kohat garrison from the TTP, the group could easily extend its reach to Peshawar.

Orakzai Agency

Orakzai Agency

Orakzai Agency has an area of almost 700 square miles.

The Orakzai Tribes take their name, which literally means the lost son (Orak Zoi) from a romantic legend about their ancestor, Sikandar shah, a prince from Iran. The prince was exiled or lost and after many adventures married and ruled over the Tirah.

The four major non Orakzai tribes, the Ali Khel, Mullah Khel, Mishti, and Sheikhan are now for all purposes like the other Orakzai tribes. Certain Orakzai tribes, like the Masozai and half the Lashkarzai (the other half, the Mamozai, inhabit the Khanki river valley in the Orakzai Agency) find themselves in Kurram agency for historical and administrative reasons. A small Bangash tribe, the Biland Khel, is attached to the Orakzai agency also for administrative and historical reasons, although they lie at some distance from the agency between Thal and North Waziristan (by the entrance to the Spin Wam - Mir Ali Road). Over one tenth of the entire population of the agency is of the Shia sect. The Shia areas in Tirah receive heavy rainfall and especially along the Mastura River (which divides them from the Sunni Daulatzai Tribes) where fine wheat, maize and rice crops are grown.

Creation of the agency had been announced at a grand tribal Jirga at Samana and it began functioning on 1 December 1973. Before this date, the Orakzai tribes were part of Kohat and Hangu Frontier regions. The valley is flanked by mountain ranges between 6000 to 7000 feet high. To the north is the Khyber Agency and to the south is the Kohat District accessible via the Kotal Pass.

The Main town of the Orakzai Agency is Darra Adam Khel. It is not too difficult to come to Orakzai Agency. From Kohat, a flying coach can be boarded from the Teerah Bazar Adda, from Hangu via Ghazi Sarai, and from Aka Khel Adda in Bara Agency. The bazaars which exist in Orakzai agency are few in number. These bazaars are locally known as Mela. Some of these Melas are Daboori Mela, Mishtee Mela, Feroze Khel Mela, Kalaya Mela, Ghiljo Mela, Sama Mamozai Mela, Anjani Bazar, Kadda Bazar, and Kurez Mela. The most beautiful places of Orakzai are Qalaya/Kalaya, Feroze Khel, and Samana. Samana is one of the oldest tour resort in Orakzai agency. An ancient fort of British Government is also located here. People visit these spots throughout the year.

Darra Adam Khel

Dara Adam Khel is a land of rugged mountains rising in some cases to an elevation of 6500 feet. The hills are sparsely wooded with growth of shrubs and stunted trees, chiefly the ilex oak, wild olive, palosin (Kikar) and thorny bushes known as the gorgoora. In good seasons there is also an abundance of grass in these hills which is mostly cut and stacked fore sale. The land is dependent for its cultivation entirely on the rainfall. Wheat and maize are its common crops. The produce of these fields is as a rule kept for home consumption and is rarely sold in the market. The climatic conditions of Dara Adam Khel varies from extreme cold in winter to sultry hot in summer.

Sectional Responsibility on the Road

The responsibility for the safety of the road was divided as follows:

Sherakki and Bosti Khel sections were responsible from the Kotal as far as Sanda Basta. The Tor Sapar clan was responsible from Sanda Basta to Shahida Talao. They were origninally responsible upto a point called Gatossai.

Zarghun Khels were responsible from Shahida Talao to Palosin and Akhorwals from Palosin to AAimal Chbutra. The Torsaparis who had no land and villages near the pass used to relegate a share of their responsibility for offences committed on the bit of road to the Zarghun Khels to whom they used to pay Rs. 80 per annum as chaukidari. This chaukidari (protection of the kohat pass road) allowance to the Zarghun Khels carried the condition that if the road for which it was paid was violated, this amount would first be utilized towards the payment of compensation decreed in favour of an injured person. If the amount assessed was in excess of this amount, it came out of the Tor Sapar allowances. In the settlements between themselves which followed the acceptance by the Afridis of the construction of a good military road, the Zarghun Khels agreed in the future to forego this chaukidari allowance of Rs. 80 per annum.

The following is a brief account of the different sections responsibilities of the Kohat pass road.

Bosti Khel:

This section lives at the western head of the valley. In all matters Bosti Khel had an equal share with Sherakkis, the two sections being the descendants of two brothers. The Bosti Khels received a total subsidy of Rs. 1215 per annum in 1901 including the amount added on account of the construction of a good military road through the Kohat pass.

Sherakki:

The Sherakkis, as mentioned above, are closely connected with the Bosti Khel. They received an annual subsidy of Rs. 1215, which they divided in equal shares between the Mobarak Khel and Bash Khel sub-divisions.

Tor Saparis:

This section which is the off shoot of Gallai's eldest son would have been the strongest if all the sections of unanimity had been its lot in life. This section enjoyed a subsidy of Rs. 1200 per annum, whicyh after paying a small 1/4th share to Kooiwals, they divided it into two equal shares between the Nekzan Khel and Feroz Khel sub-sections, who again further sub-divided it into small shares for each particular "Kandi".

Orakzai agency pitch tents to restart education

Orakzai authorities pitch tents to restart education

Girls attend class in a makeshift tent school in lower Orakzai Agency. In the last year militants destroyed 68 boys’ and girls’ schools in the area, including Orakzai’s only girls’ college. [M. Ibrahim]

ORAKZAI AGENCY – Raheel, 9, and his 7-year-old sister Sabavon, of the Ferozkhel area in lower Orakzai Agency, were overjoyed when the government erected a makeshift tent school in their village a few months ago to replace a school building destroyed by a militant bomb last year.

In the past year 68 boys’ and girls’ schools, including Orakzai’s only degree college for women, have been destroyed by militants. To minimize the disruption of children’s education, government authorities have erected tent schools.

Authorities have provided about 172 large tents so that boys’ and girls’ classes can take place regularly. They have also contributed free books and paper, Raheel and Sabavon said. Authorities have provided about 172 large tents so that boys’ and girls’ classes can take place regularly. They have also contributed free books and paper, Raheel and Sabavon said.

The reconstruction of destroyed schools will require time and money, said Political Agent of Orakzai Agency Riaz Mehsud.

“We have limited resources at hand, and that’s why we opted for establishing tent schools,” Mehsud told Central Asia Online.

The tents are specially designed for schools and workers erected them at a number of rehabilitated localities with the assistance of foreign aid agencies.

“Simultaneously, we have also started repairing schools with minor damage,” he said.

Orakzai suffered at hands of militants

About 20,000 families from the southern and central regions of Orakzai fled to camps in the Hangu and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year because of a surge in militancy in their home regions. That adversely affected the studies of thousands of children.

Orakzai Agency is considered the most backward area of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and has the lowest literacy rate among the tribal regions. The overall literacy rate in FATA is 17%, but is only 7% in Orakzai Agency.

Authorities have provided about 172 large tents so that boys’ and girls’ classes can take place regularly. They have also contributed free books and paper, Raheel and Sabavon said.

Troops have cleared the lower and central Orakzai regions of militants and expect soon to overcome resistance in the upper parts of Orakzai, thus paving the way for establishing more schools, Army officials commanding the Orakzai military operation said.

More than 9,000 students from Uthmankhel, Ferozkhel, Goyeen, Meshtee Mela and Meshtee bazaar have started studying in the makeshift schools, Mehsud said.

More than 140,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have already returned to their homes in Orakzai, and the repatriation process should be completed soon, he added.

Mehsud dispelled the impression that parents in Orakzai or elsewhere in FATA were reluctant to send their daughters to schools for fear of insecurity.

“We have made adequate security arrangements to ensure the safety of both the girl students and their female teachers,” Mehsud said.

People welcome tent schools

Tribal elder Habib Orakzai welcomed the government initiative to supply tent schools, saying education is a basic right of every child and that the initiative shows the government’s resolve to make education accessible to tribal children.

“A low literacy rate is one of the main reasons of our backwardness,” Habib said. “The militancy has adversely affected the entire fabric of tribal society.”

He expressed hope that as destroyed schools in Orakzai and other tribal areas are rebuilt, more quality educational institutions would be established throughout FATA.

Said Jameel, a parent in the Ferozkhel area, said that though his children had access to schooling facilities in an IDP camp in Hangu, they always wanted to return home and resume their education there.
“The local political administration has made excellent arrangements in the tent schools, and our children are now fully concentrating on their studies,” he said.

The Orakzai administration also has set up free medical camps, including some for women, repaired damaged communications lines, and will provide six months of food to every rehabilitated family, Mehsud said.

Most of the IDPs were eager to return home as soon as possible, as most private houses had survived the militancy, he said.

“The government … is doing its utmost to repair the damaged infrastructure, thus enabling the return of normal life as soon as possible,” he said.

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