01/11/2023
Challenges and unfulfilled promises: The plight of tribal areas in Pakistan.
By Mushtharam Khan khpalwak
Five years have elapsed since the tribal areas were merged into the province, but the people residing in these regions continue to grapple with hardships and suffering. These individuals have endured economic fragility and uncertainty for over five decades. The tribes living along the Pak-Afghan border have served as unpaid soldiers of Pakistan for a staggering 60 years. Fueled by a sense of collective responsibility, they played a vital role in upholding the security and stability of the nation.
Over the past two decades, the war against terrorism has left countless Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in camps within their own country, enduring humiliation and degradation. A significant portion of the population still resides in different areas, grappling with impoverished living conditions. This is because most of the houses in their regions remain uninhabitable and in ruins, with security forces occupying some of them. Living in these remote tribal areas has become increasingly challenging, with a glaring absence of employment opportunities. The scourge of robbery has become a common means of livelihood.
Ironically, despite the richness of natural resources in the tribal areas, the local population has been rendered almost powerless in their utilization. These mineral reserves have been leased to powerful and corrupt individuals, barring locals from even accessing these mountains where their livestock once roamed freely. In the past five years, the resources of these tribal areas have been systematically looted.
Terrorism, insecurity, and military operations spanning two decades have left tribal children deprived of education. Unfortunately, very little meaningful work has been accomplished since the merger. Highways have been left in a state of disrepair, with work on various roads abandoned for five years due to an alleged lack of funds, despite the initial investment.
The dire state of the education system is a further testament to the neglect these areas have faced. Of the 5,101 educational institutions in tribal areas, the majority remain inactive. Many schools for girls have particularly suffered due to the appointment of non-local personnel who are ill-equipped to fulfill their duties. Appointments and transfers often occur with the connivance and influence of clerks, including the use of fake No Objection Certificates (NOCs). These non-duty teachers receive salaries without fulfilling their obligations. Consequently, many girls' high schools in tribal areas have only one or two staff members, and frequent holidays are taken, resulting in a lack of educational oversight.
Supporters of FATA integration, who once held high hopes for positive change, now find themselves disillusioned. The promises made to the tribal people have largely gone unfulfilled, pushing them further into a state of despair. It is evident that there is a need for comprehensive development and a restoration of the tribal people's confidence.
Chief Minister Mehmood Khan's announcement of grants for press clubs in the merged districts serves as a microcosm of the larger issue. Despite the promise of grants, not a single press club has received any funds over the past five years. This raises serious questions about the commitment to development in these regions.
In conclusion, the tribal areas of Pakistan have faced a multitude of challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, lack of educational opportunities, and unfulfilled promises. To rebuild the trust of the tribal people and usher in a new era of development, it is imperative that the government takes concrete actions to address these pressing issues and deliver on the commitments made to these marginalized communities.