WAZIRISTAN
WAZIRISTAN
Waziristan “land of the Wazir” is a mountainous region in the northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km2. It is populated by ethnic Pashtuns. The language spoken in valley is Pashto. It is part of the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, considered to be separate of the country’s four core provinces. Waziristan comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between the Tochi River to the north and the Gomal River to the south. Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lies immediately to the east. The region was an independent tribal territory until 1893 and became part of Pakistan in 1947. Waziristan is divided into two “agencies”, North Waziristan and South Waziristan for administrative purposes, with estimated population (1998) of 361,246 and 429,841 respectively. The two parts have quite distinct characteristics, though both tribes are subgroups of the Wazir tribe and speak a common Wazirwala language. They have a reputation as formidable warriors and are known for their frequent blood feuds. The Wazir 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 also kept strong by means of collective responsibility acts in the Frontier Crimes Regulation. North Waziristan is mostly inhabited by Uthmanzai Wazirs, who are related to Ahmadzai Wazirs of South Waziristan. They live in fortified mountainous villages, including Razmak, Data Khel, Spin Wam, Dosali, Shawa, Shawal and Dawars (Daurr), who farm in the valleys below in villages including Miranshah, Dapa Khel, Amzoni, Ali Khel, Mirali, Edak, Hurmaz, Mussaki,Hassu Khel, Ziraki, Tapi, Issori, Haider Khel, Khaddi and Arabkot. North Waziristan shares an open border with Khost, a province of Afghanistan. The South Waziristan’s agency has its
Waziristan “land of the Wazir” is a mountainous region in the northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km2. It is populated by ethnic Pashtuns. The language spoken in valley is Pashto. It is part of the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, considered to be separate of the country’s four core provinces. Waziristan comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between the Tochi River to the north and the Gomal River to the south. Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lies immediately to the east. The region was an independent tribal territory until 1893 and became part of Pakistan in 1947. Waziristan is divided into two “agencies”, North Waziristan and South Waziristan for administrative purposes, with estimated population (1998) of 361,246 and 429,841 respectively. The two parts have quite distinct characteristics, though both tribes are subgroups of the Wazir tribe and speak a common Wazirwala language. They have a reputation as formidable warriors and are known for their frequent blood feuds. The Wazir 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 also kept strong by means of collective responsibility acts in the Frontier Crimes Regulation. North Waziristan is mostly inhabited by Uthmanzai Wazirs, who are related to Ahmadzai Wazirs of South Waziristan. They live in fortified mountainous villages, including Razmak, Data Khel, Spin Wam, Dosali, Shawa, Shawal and Dawars (Daurr), who farm in the valleys below in villages including Miranshah, Dapa Khel, Amzoni, Ali Khel, Mirali, Edak, Hurmaz, Mussaki,Hassu Khel, Ziraki, Tapi, Issori, Haider Khel, Khaddi and Arabkot. North Waziristan shares an open border with Khost, a province of Afghanistan. The South Waziristan’s agency has its