GoP Bifurcating South Waziristan

[dk33]

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Govt working to bifurcate S Waziristan

* Wazir tribesmen favour move to end Mehsuds’ dominance
* Former political agent says division will cause problems

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: The government has restarted work to divide South Waziristan into two zones to give the Ahmedzai Wazirs a separate entity and end their dependence on Mehsud tribes, official and tribal sources in Wana and Peshawar said on Wednesday.

The move aims to pacify the Wazirs and isolate the Mehsuds, who are proving a hard nut to crack in the face of ongoing military operation against militants linked to Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

“It is being considered (by the government) whether the South Waziristan division will help the government or not as far as the war on terror is concerned,” the official sources said.

Mehsuds’ dominance: The Wazirs have since long been demanding a separate entity to free themselves from the Mehsuds’ dominance, who had been treated “differently” under the Nikat System devised by by colonial power before the partition of the Indian subcontinent.

Under the system, Mehsud tribes get 75 percent share in any resource distribution. The Wazirs have been complaining about having only 25 percent share, despite their population being almost equal to that of the Mehsuds.

The government has stepped up work to improve Gomal Road linking the Wazirs-inhibited areas of South Waziristan with Dera Ismail Khan, and to avoid using any route through the Mehsuds-inhibited areas.

The road had previously been closed due to a protest by the Mehsuds, but attacks on security forces by the militants loyal to Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud has forced the government to expedite the construction work on it.

According to a tribal source in Wana, the plan is being executed in “extreme secrecy” to avoid backlash from the Mehsuds. “The work on Gomal Road is in full swing, whereas the Wana airport is also close to its opening. The government has asked influential Wazir elders and Taliban commander Maulvi Nazir not to publicise the plan before it is fully implemented,” a tribal elder with close contacts with the government told Daily Times.

Division to cause problems: According to a retired political agent of South Waziristan, the division will be contrary to the former colonial power’s policy, which always set up a tribal region with two opposing tribes to pursue “divide-and-rule” policy.

“I think giving the Wazirs a separate tribal district status will compound problems for the government.

“And same is the case with North Waziristan, Kurram, Orakzai and Khyber tribal districts. Giving a tribe a separate status will be a costly game to play,” the former political agent said on condition of anonymity.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

I seem to think that this is a good move. You have one tribe that is perfectly fine living in harmony with the Government, and refusing to allow militancy to take place from its territory (Mullah Nazir being the same guy who lead the operation against foreigners in the area with PA help, against the wishes of B Mehsud. He was also the target of an assassination bid by a suicide bomber reportedly sent by Mehsud.

A separation would allow for development activity to take place in the Wazir area, reduce the influence of the Mehsuds and possibly put the leadership under pressure as their own people see themselves being left behind developmentally. As for moving away from the "colonial system" that the political agent is warning against - I would say the current situation is a pretty good sign that the old system has failed, it can't get any worse so why not try this option. It seems to make sense.

Your comments?

[Tiki Tam Tam]

The good old British policy of Divide and Rule. It worked with the British and I am sure it will work now splendidly.

However, the negative side is that it will breed animosity and that can have serious repercussion locally.

[PakShaheen79]

It should be done with consences? Politacally

[Awesome]

Pakistan needs to have many many more provinces in general. A lot more micromanagement if there's a problem it shall remain a localized one, to a certain area.

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Pakistan needs to have many many more provinces in general. A lot more micromanagement if there's a problem it shall remain a localized one, to a certain area.

This approach is also better for Developement efforts being done by the Local govement bodies.

[Energon]

I seem to think that this is a good move. You have one tribe that is perfectly fine living in harmony with the Government, and refusing to allow militancy to take place from its territory (Mullah Nazir being the same guy who lead the operation against foreigners in the area with PA help, against the wishes of B Mehsud. He was also the target of an assassination bid by a suicide bomber reportedly sent by Mehsud.

My knowledge of the tribal system in Pakistan is extremely limited. I am open for suggestions on good reading material about this.

But as a side question, what are some of the reasons that enable certain tribes to remain free from radicalism and militancy while living harmoniously with the central government? And can these factors be replicated and promoted to pacify the other more violent and non compliant tribes?

[sparten]

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The various agencies in FATA have different levels of problems and are in different stages of pacification Waziristan (where my famaily is from) has always been a tough nut to crack. This will isolate it. My tribe, the Burkis, will be delighted.