Tribal areas Of Pukhtunkhwa

Understanding tribal areas
Dawn.com
The British colonial rulers had governed the now Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) over half century. They are architects of the ‘controversial’ Durand Line, which divides Pakhtuns living on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and are well acquainted with the characteristics of the tribal people.

The administrative and judicial system that prevails today in the seven agencies and six Frontier Regions is the legacy of the British Raj. Our establishment has inherited the policy of “divide and rule” from the colonial rulers.

Still, the British government seems eager to learn more about tribal area and its people in the wake of war on terror. They are financing projects to conduct unique studies and surveys through non governmental organisations. Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme, an NGO, has been engaged for the last two years to conduct research studies in the region in the name of “Understanding Fata.” The survey contains a set of questionnaires being applied to simple and uneducated tribal men, women, children and youngsters.

These questionnaires cover the war on terror, world politics, UK role for safeguarding global environment, Pakistan nuclear weapons and security, UK-Pakistan relations, UK role in the UN, queries related to the USA, China, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Taliban.

For example, respondents are asked: “Do you have favourable, some what favourable, some what unfavourable or very favourable opinion of the government of India, China, Iran, UK and the USA?” Another question is: “Do you think possessing nuclear weapons enhances Pakistan’s security?” The same questions are repeated again and again.

Honestly, if these questions are put to the candidates appearing in competitive exams they will scratch their heads many times before giving satisfactory answers.

One wonders whether the British government testes the IQ of the tribal people or want to select them for British foreign office by putting such questions to them. It might be better to ask people who introduced Frontier Crimes Regulation that still keep the tribal area in isolation and deprived its over five million inhabitants from fundamental rights. Or there should be a question about bringing “Blue Pipe” surface to air missiles and landmines to the tribal borderlands.

Interestingly, 41 per cent of the respondents, who had not been to school, were asked the same questions. Including 40 per cent women in the survey, to seek their opinion about global politics and terrorism, also seems funny.

Now the people seem to be fed up with these stereotype surveys and questionnaires. This is evident from the fact that in 2008 when the first survey was conducted percentage of the respondents was 92.4 and in 2009 it declined to 62.15 per cent.

Poverty and militancy stricken tribal people sitting in Waziristan, Bajaur and Kurram are no more interested in surveys, seminars, workshops or well written speeches.

Their main problems are poverty, ignorance, shelter, good governance, fundamental rights, education and health. Their immediate requirement is peace. There is need of good teachers, doctors and planners in the area.

Literacy rate in Fata is hardly about 17 per cent as only 3 per cent women population is literate. Literacy rate may have declined due to militancy, bombing of schools and large scale displacement, because around 80 schools have been blown up only in Bajaur during the last two years. Children and elders are dying because of lack of healthcare facilities.

The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, conducted in Fata with the assistance of UNICEF in 2007, reveals that under-5 mortality rate in the tribal area is 104 per 1,000 live births while infant mortality rate is 86 per 1,000. In many areas only 7.2 per cent population has access to clean drinking water.

Few years back health centres in tribal area were properly equipped. Teachers were available in schools. Doctors also attended hospitals. Now health centres and schools are either occupied by security forces and militants or have been closed due to non availability of doctors and teachers. Successive governments had been making false commitments since 1947 to bring social and economic prosperity in Fata. The tribal people have been victims of proxy wars for centuries. They don’t see light at the end of tunnel so far.

The British government should no more waste its tax payers’ money. They should learn from their forefathers, who had established well equipped health centres, schools and communication network in early 20th century. Conducting surveys and studies can only enhance bank balance of NGOs like CAMP that was started from a single room in Peshawar and now has offices in posh localities of federal and provincial capitals.

It, however, cannot address real issues or bring any change in the lifestyle of the tribal people. International community should focus its attention on schools, hospitals, abject poverty and creation of employment opportunities to bring prosperity in Fata and improve the living standard of its people.