'Geographical Importance of Fata\r'

'GEOGRAPHICAL impressiveness OF FATA 1. INTRODUCTION The spectacular land in which the Pathans sojourn has had a major effect on their write up and their way of life. †J. W. Spain Geography has a signifi chiffoniert  status in making of a nation’s fortune; either in the shape of geo-politics or geo- frugals. It jakes shower blessings or bring c edgee to the residents of the locality as virtuoso flowerpot’t veer the geography.It is tumesce said that a pronounce’s governmental system, sparing structure, juridical organization, demographic size and relations with opposite states grass swap according to the necessitate and aspirations of the multitude and unity thing remains constant, and that is â€Å"geography”. If unrivalled contribute non change the geography of a land plainly at least can mould its contours. It means that the mode of make itling is fundamental to invite the blessings or iniquity of a regionâ⠂¬â„¢s geographic  arrangement. To exhibit the above, FATA presents an excellent example. FATA is situated on the North-Western side of Pakistan bordering with  Afghaniistaniistan.Since the old-fashi peerlessd times, FATA has been a testing-ground of the empires’ ambitions to ful have. Alexander the considerable, Chengiz caravanserai, Taimur the lame, the Mughals, the Turks and the British Empire entertain touched the Pakistan’s tribal Lands to pursue their adventures. t proscribed ensemble of these  policy-making campaigns  corroborate left long- pass bying impacts on the fate of tribal people. The land has seen Great spirited mingled with the Russian and British Empires in the last two centuries and in like manner a race amid the two super powers (US & USSR) in the inhuman warfargonf argon era.Now FATA is experiencing an new(prenominal) ill-fated adventure of â€Å"War on Terrorism”. The status of FATA and its proximity to Pakist an Afghan border ar a serious contest for Pakistan on a rate of levels. Historic tout ensembley, along Afghanistan it has been an celestial orbit for imperial competition, a battle ground and a definite invasion route. The athletic field had been a gear up pad for the exercise of work on in Kashmir, sad boy-Continent and Afghanistan. of slow it has been emerged as source of terrorist and criminal activity that threatens Pakistan’s national protective coer.The region ascribable to its geographical berth has a geo political and economical significance as it is a potential handle route for economic development of the central Asiatic states and for peace and prosperity in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Geo-Political Setting The North West edge is non only the enclosure of India. It is an international fron spirit level of the first wideness from military point of date for the whole empire. Simon Commission The region which accommodates, â€Å"Afghanistan and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has perhaps seen to a greater extent invasions in the course of hi twaddle than twain separate country in the land.   During all this period the plains had been rule by great powers, the hill tract and tribes act to value and protect their independence. For centuries, tribal society has persisted in the FATA, and remained open for numerous invaders out of those the most(prenominal) important are Alexander the Great (356 BC-310/309 BC), the Great Genghis Khan ( 1162 to1227), and Timur Lung (1336 to1405). The people of this region always defended their homeland against all sorts of external aggressions. Over the period of time, this response has do them passionately autonomous.With the exception of Aurangzeb Alamgir, other rulers deriveed a constitution of conciliation desisting from all direct and indirect disturbance in the internal affairs of the sector. In this news report the focus on FATA history allow be from the era of British supremacy in the Sub-Continent cashbox todate. 2. THE FATA REGION THROUGH AGES British Supremacy During wee 19th ascorbic acid, the British had established their supremacy everyplace the subcontinent except Balochistan, Sindh and the northwest tribal pat. It was the period when Russia was advance southwards in primal Asia.The British politics in England was perturbed and thought it an â€Å"imminent threat to the security and tranquility” of the Indian Empire and asked the goernance of India to trounce them. Thus began British involvement with NWFP, its tribal clap and Afghanistan. original Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) It was understood both in London and Calcutta, which was thence the headquarters of the eastern hemisphere India Company, that the emir of Afghanistan was entering into secret negotiations with Russia. Accordingly, in 1838, the Government of India declare war against Afghanistan.Since Ranjit Singh, the ruler of the Punjab would not give passing game to t he side of meat army through his territory, Auckland, the British Governor-General of India, decided to dispatch his forces through Sindh. In 1839, the British-led Indian forces passed through Sindh and Balochistan and conquered Kandhar and Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. During the winter of 1841-42, in that respect was a mass uprising against foreign forces and the Indian army comprising twelve thousand soldiers left the city of Kabul along with their followers and marched eastward in the direction of Jalalabad for safety.The tribesmen gradually destroyed the entire Indian forces opus on retreat. By January 1842, only one Dr. Brydon was able to reach Jalalabad to narrate the tragic story of the massacre of their comrades. â€Å"A large British-led army had not been wiped out so completely in reenforcement memory. ” Owing to their terrible defeat in the First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-42) the British had realized that the task of feeling over the tribal territor y in NWFP and Afghanistan was beyond their imagings in India.Thus they followed the insurance of â€Å"close door policy” and their bet in the affairs of the tribal empyrean in NWFP and Afghanistan remained minimal. Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-79) There was a change in British policy afterwards 1876. The encour get along withment collectable to increase of British resources owe to the conquest of Sindh (1843) and the Punjab (1849) as well as the tinge among British strategists in England due to the advance of the Russian armies in Turkestan close to the borders of Afghanistan made them to re spatial relation their policy. The policy of Disraeli who became the Prime Minister in U.K. in 1874 was to shew a strategic line of defense against Russian advance in Central Asia. It was felt that kind of or later the British and the Russian forces would front each other in Central Asia. This idea led the British to increase their sphere of influence in Afghanistan. In 1878, when Amir Sher Ali of Afghanistan refused to allow an English envoy at Kabul, Lord Lytton declared war on 20th November 1878 and British troops invaded Afghanistan and Sher Ali ran away and later died. His son Yakub concluded the Treaty of Gandamak on 26 May 1879 agreeing to British footing.The war had boost the British to formally occupy most of the tribal belt. It included a permanent advance and arrest of the famous Khyber Pass exclusively Kurram valley was readd some years later. Withdrawal of British Forces from Durand pedigree In June 1897, the Waziristan tribes revolted against the British forces. This was followed by an attack by tribes of Malakand against the garrisons in the pass and in Chakdara. By August, Mohmands attacked at Shabqadr, and later Afridi and Orakzai attacked at Tirah and the Khybar post was lost by the British.The Samana forts were attacked and â€Å"the garrison in one case wiped out to a man. ” Later Khyber was reoccupied and Khyber Rifles were re-established and new roads and more forts were built. To meet the internet site Lord Curzon adopted a policy of â€Å"withdrawal and concentration”â€withdrawal from the forward- pure toneing posts, employment of the tribal forces for the defense of the tribal country, concentrations of British forces in British territory as the flash line of defense and the improvement of the means of move and communication.This policy continued up to 1919. Partition of Sub Continent In conjunction with the independence of Pakistan and India in 1947, the tribesmen as a whole expressed their prevalent will to join Pakistan. The tribes were assured a continuance of agreements between tribes and the British Government by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Since then no fundamental change in the administrative, judicial and political policies for the FATA has taken place. Soviet Invasion afterwards the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the FATA came into the limelight. The influx of Afghan refugees, spread of militant culture, continuing civil war in Afghanistan and religious extremism leading to the rise of the Taliban did overmuch to aggravate the station. By and large it all contributed to an alter ethnic commensurateness, weapons proliferation, inflow of narcotics, hindrance in developmental efforts, deteriorating law and order and de-sanctification of the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. United States’ InvasionFollowing the United States (US) led invasion in the Afghanistan in 2002, the tribal areas again came into focus when a large flesh of foreign militants were appoint victorious refuge in these areas. Since then military trading operations carried out in the area find bought the dawdling problem of the FATA and its integration issues with the national mainstream of Pakistan to the forefront. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE, POLITICAL, ECONOMICAL, EDUCATIONAL, JUDICIAL, AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE tribal AREAS The C onstitution of Pakistan introduced in 1973 is the main foundation on which the existing system of governance of the FATA, revolves.This law states that the national Government of Pakistan will be the only one to extend authority in the FATA, duration the obligation will extend their authority to ‘Provincially Administered Tribal Areas, making the FATA to be controlled by the telephone exchange judicature. The prexy therefore is the only one who is in localization to give directions to the Governor of a Province where that specialized Tribal area is located, who shall under this article will follow the directions of the President. The FATA is divided into two administrative categories.First, the ‘ defend areas’ which come directly under control of central government activity through political appointees/agents. They are vested with judicial powers as well. Second, the ‘non-protected’ areas those are governed through the local tribes indirectly . The tercet of Jirga, Political Agent (PA) and FCR of 1901, blends making the administrative and judicial systems in tribal areas. The Governor in a province is the representative of the President of Pakistan, who acts on behalf of the national Government and administers the Tribal Areas through the FATA Secretariat.Agriculture forms a level-headed economic activity in the FATA, while the adoptions of age old agriculture systems absorb left the productivity of this important commodity for the local below subsistence level. likewise agriculture, the holding and growing of the livestock is likewise an brilliance economical activity in the FATA. However due to the adoption of non-scientific methods of animal husbandry, desired output is not achieved. A few areas in the FATA have smell and other forests.Deforestation, use of valuable timber as fuel, its smuggling to the Afghanistan and degradation of grazing lands due to unremitting droughts has resulted in the loss of these income-earning opportunities. The tribal areas, thanks to their terrain configuration, are sought to possess vast deposits of numerous minerals. Because of miserable geological surveys, the security environments in the FATA and tribal disputes over these perceived ‘minerals rich tracts of land,’ they have moreover been explored.This situation has significantly affected the direction of private domain to draw their enthronisation in these areas. The less number of schools, health care facilities, communication infrastructure and affiliate services do not support any major economic venture, care the area economically underdeveloped. 4. AVAILABILITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN FATA Due to its geography, FATA should not be allowed to be used as a spring-board and launching-pad for the satisfaction of international politics’ stake-holders.Our leadership has to envision a parallel approach of geo-economics with geo-politics. This is a possible solution to improve the living standard in the Tribal belt. Although geo-economics approach is an evolutionary process and takes time, but it has capability to change the fate of the tribal people in the long run. Basic thing for this scheme to be useful in future is the indemnity of peace in the region. Then an atmosphere can be created to develop infrastructure and finally to go the inwrought resources of FATA in a right direction.Oil and shove off Reserves Huge reservoirs of fossil oil and hitman have been explored in Khyber, North and South Waziristan Agencies. The Oil and float Development Corporation (OGDC) should start drilling in FATA, while numbers of multinational companies have shown corking interest in this region for oil, gas and other minerals exploration. The foreign oil company, Tullow, has obtained a license for the exploration of the reservoirs of oil and gas in the North Waziristan operation while the oil company of Ireland, MOL, has shown interest in the Khyber agenc y.Now a suitable environment, consistent effort, due attending and keen interest is needed to speed-up the process of development. In 1996, a British Petroleum Company indicated after a seismic survey that the oil and gas reserves of NWA have the success possibility of 1:3 while these possibilities in Middle East are 1:10. Lime Stone and char The geological surveys of 85 per cent of the tribal belt have revealed immense prospects of mineral exploration. Some of them have been already utilized but much yet to be extracted.This not only can engage the local youth with constructive and profit-making activities but can as well attract the foreign investors which can in the long run be exported. Bajaur action has 130 million lashings of lime stone reserves while Khyber agency has 454 million tons of it. Orakzai Agency, Kurram Agency and North Waziristan Agency have 178 million tons reserves of superior coal. Some work is underway there but is deeply hindered by the elements of mi litancy and military operations on one hand and lack of scientific know-how and use of modern technology on the other hand. Marble and GraniteThe mines of Marble and Granite are likely to have good potential for growth. And with considerable reserves of eminently valued marble including white marble, are in abundance in Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber and NWA alone with a aggregate of 570519 ton reserves. If this industry is given proper government attention and the project designed are by rights implemented, they can issue job opportunities to several thousands of psyche living here. Gem Stones Like Baluchistan which is hub for natural resources, FATA has as well been kept aloof regarding development for confused cognise unknown reasons.Geologists have indicated that this region is also enriched in availability of venerated and semi venerated gem stones. Emerald and tourmaline are found in the north while garnet and quartz are found in South Waziristan and Bajaur. But due to lack o f exploration their reserves have not been properly identified. Gold, Copper and Chromate FATA Development Authority (FDA) is of the view that huge deposits of various minerals like gold, copper, chromate and circularise of others are available on 4707 square kilometer area of NWA.After digging 7000 meter deep the surface, the FDA experts reach to polish that 36,000 million tons of copper is available in just 16 kilometer area of NWA Boya Shinkai spot. FDA has time-tested 37,000 samples of natural resources in laboratories. Current price of one ton copper is seven thousand dollars in international market and mountains of NWA have deposits of billions dollars hidden in just 16 kilometer area which if explored can change the fate of most deprived inhabitants of this war ravaged area as well as bring economic stability in country.Natural Forests The natural forests and fruits is a wealth in this regard. Forest area is decreasing day by day by ruthless cutting where there is not an useful law to prevent the practice. Fruit production is also affected because of insurgency, military operations and lack of a permanent water supply. The local people are digging out these minerals by using mordacious means like blasting, on one hand destroy large part of these reserves while on the other this activity inflict irreparable damage to eco-system of the area.No proper, planned and modern system is organism used to explore these mineral resources as the Government is still showing no interest in exploration because no industries were set up in the area for raw material as the situation is not favorable for it. The availability of such huge reserves can contribute a lot in economic maturation of the country. Proper government assistance will not only friend the locals regain jobs but would also help in restoring peace and stability.But, extremism and militancy have brought already poor economic and trade activities of the Agency to a standstill, while many traders and businessmen have migrated to other part of the country because of the fear of be kidnapped for ransom or killed by unknown armed groups. 5. GEOGRAPHICAL sizeableness OF THE TRIBAL AREAS AND GREAT GAME Besides being the one of the most important areas of Pakistan because of its strategic location in proximity with Afghanistan, tribal areas are also one of the most sensitive areas of the World.The War on Terror has further enhanced the greatness of the tribal areas significantly. The Tribal Areas have the strategic grandness, as these areas can play a significant role of a buffer zone between the turbulent Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of late this importance has been further highlighted in global geopolitics because tribal areas lie between the warm waters of Arabian Sea and the Central Asiatic countries i. e. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan etc, which have a very large oil and gas potential.The Central Asian states being land locked, the sinew we alth has to be exported by stemmas passing through these areas to Arabian Sea Ports for onward distribution to the universe of discourse. As the energy control is a key to the global supremacy, the 21sl century power game is destined to be vie by the major powers around the potential producers and pedigree routes. Thus the tribal areas located on the rim of Afghanistan border with Pakistan, cannot remain immune to the spill over effects of any socioeconomic or political storms occurring in this strategic triangle. ———————————————— ————————————————- The forward-looking Great biz ————————————————- Whereas the Old Great indorse emerged out of alter of the Russian empire; the New Great spicy aro se with its demise. The severe reduction of the stern control Russia had well-kept in the region, through the Soviet Union, lead to a power vacuum in the region. Since the independence of the Central Asian states, all the workers of the New Great plot are competing to garner individual control and fill this emptiness.The countries that together comprise of Central Asia today include Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The region as a whole has historically suffered foreign domination, initially under the Ottoman Empire, and most recently being part of the Soviet governing with Russia pulling the strings. ————————————————- Furthermore, to confirm this conception of a New Great Game, one only needs to look at the reasons that have contributed to the world turning its attention to this region of the globe.The Central Asian Republics derive their importance th rough two major factors. The region on the whole has continued to have geostrategic value, not only due to its location at the perfume of the Eurasian landmass, but also due to the political significance of the countries that border Central Asia. Secondly, and possibly a lot more significantly, the region now also has massive economic implications for the whole world. ————————————————- ————————————————- Economic worth of Central Asian Countries ————————————————-Central Asia, comprising of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and the energy-rich lake called the Caspian Sea, owes its significance to its vast economic potential and its geo-strategic location and is fast becomi ng an economic center of the world. The region has a strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, the Persian Gulf, the Middle East, and the far East; surrounded by some of the fleet growing economies in the world including China, Russia and India who are not only investing in the region but are competing for the leading role.From 2000 to 2009, foreign direct investment flows into Central Asia increased nine folds; while the region’s gross domestic product grew on average by 8. 2% annually. ————————————————- The most well endowed state in the Caspian region is Kazakhstan; ranked 6th in the world in terminations of natural resource reserves. Out of 110 elements of the nightly table, 99 were discovered in the bowels of Kazakhstan including oil, gas, uranium, zinc, tungsten, bohrium, silver, lead, chromites, copper, fluorides, molybdenum and gold.Moreover, it has prove d oil reserves of 30 billion barrels, highest in the region followed by Azerbaijan which has 7 billion barrels. Turkmenistan has the world’s 4th largest gas reserves at 7. 5 one thousand thousand boxy meters while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan follow close with 2. 41 trillion and 1. 84 trillion cubic meters respectively. Thus, collectively the Caspian region contains about 46 per cent of the world gas resources. ————————————————- ————————————————- Pakistan as actor in the New Great Game ————————————————-Central Asian region is so important for world politics, the various players involved in this New Great Game are trying to gain a stronger foothold in the area. The six players broadly involved in the game, include the United States, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, India, and of course Pakistan. The immense interest of Pakistan in the Central Asia Republics stemmed from the economic, geo-strategic, and political benefits these countries could provide to this struggling nation. Trade relations with these landlocked countries had the potential to be the sole solution for Pakistan’s economic problems.With the CARS having an annual potential market of $80 billion, Pakistan could make this untapped market to its advantage and improve its balance of payments. Along with cheaper imports, Pakistan could also benefit from transit income, by providing access through the Karakoram Highway, to its neighboring industrial giants: India and China. Similarly, keeping in mind the historical importance of this resource rich region, Pakistan could foresee the centre stage it could evolve in the energy war of the New Great Game by providing the shortest route for the Central Asian count ies via Gwadar to the Arabian Sea.This would help Pakistan fulfill its long term energy needs, through projects such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) oil and gas pipeline. The 1735 km pipeline faces security challenges because it moldiness cross Afghanistan and FATA. It is estimated to carry one trillion cubic m of gas over a 30 years period, or 33 billion cubic m a year. Furthermore, Pakistan’s electricity needs that are huge burden on its economic life could easily be lifted by access to abundant Kyrgyz hydroelectric power.Thus, favorable trade relations with the region could result in a significant uplift of Pakistan’s strained economy. ————————————————- ————————————————- 6. finish ——————————̵ 2;—————- The 21st Century is yet to see the flowering of The New Great Game. With every country in this surge for power taking its own route, it shall be interesting to see the unfolding of the events.Russia continues to exert its importance in the region in political and economic domains while planning to maintain its stronghold in its backyard. Iran is making waves through its trade routes and with Iran; Central Asia can see many lucrative trading and pipeline options available through them. On the other hand, it whitethorn difficult for Central Asia to tilt towards Iran without displeasing the world hegemony, US that maintains its military presence in the region. Furthermore, both Turkey and India are also vying for influence in the region. ———————————————— Though Pakistan may face a number of constraints and obstacles in fulfilling its dreams of being a prominent player in the New Great Game, it can orchestrate a policy that may ensure fracture results for Pakistan, if not the best. And peace and prosperity of FATA due to its geographical location will be the dominant tier of that policy. Kashmir is life line of Pakistan on eastern borders and on western border geostrategic and geopolitical importance of FATA dictates the economic future of Pakistan.\r\n'