0 Illaaq Ghair (Strange Land)

Illaaq Ghair (Strange Land)

By Ihsanullah

The word Tribal Area was first used by British which literally mean Qabaili Illaqa. The wording is still used very frequently in every part of the world due to the importance of the area. Interestingly the resident of the tribal area used another wording Ilaqa Ghair for tribal area which literally means alien, foreign or strange land. The terminology used by the residence of the tribal belt or most of the Pashtoons. If the word Illaqa Ghair is thoroughly examine it would be easily to find out that the way the rulers treated the area before and after creation of Pakistan it is the exact wording I think to use for the area in the present context. Under government of Pakistan jurisdiction separate rules and regulation i.e. Frontier Crime Regulation (FCR) is specified for the area which simply means that they treated the area strangely. Pakistan Government is right to their claim that the area is come in their jurisdiction but in practically they do nothing for the area or in the area. Now the question arise that if Pakistan government claims that FATA is in their jurisdiction then why they used separate rules and regulation for it and why they neglect the area? It simply means that they also behave the area strangely. Neither any government nor any leader of Pakistan give proper attention to the area in all respects whether that is economic, political or other developmental areas. They totally ignored the area and their residence till 80s.

British divided the whole tribal belt in four agencies (unsettled area) that includes Khyber, Kurram, North Waziristan, South Waziristan and six Frontier regions (settled areas). After the creation of Pakistan the other three agencies Orakzai, Bajauar and Mohmand were established to make easier the administration. The distribution of the region was made on tribal base in the specific region. They give the name of that particular tribe to that agency. During British rule Tribal area gives a tough resistance to British in their forward policy to conquer the area and enter in Afghanistan. After many attack they couldn't conquer the area which compel the British to sign agreements with tribal chiefs to keep tribal peaceful. In those agreement tribal chief ensure that they would keep the tribal peaceful but in return British would pay allowances to them. British agree but sadly those allowances were not enough to fulfill the all needs of the area. However tribal were happy to get some money because of no other opportunity in the area of earning money. British were also happy by keeping the tribal peaceful by giving a small amount of allowances. Despite those allowances, British deliberately can't take any interests in development of the area and keep the area underdeveloped.

After independence of Pakistan all barbarian treaties of tribal belt with British were abrogated under Indian Independence Act, 1947 but keeps intact the Frontier Crime Regulation. Constitutionally tribal belt became independent and now it was up to the new state, Pakistan to sign fresh agreements with tribal elders in their own way. As like British the new born country Pakistan also used the same tactics by signing treaties with tribal chiefs through their political agents of different agencies in 1947 which declare tribal belt as a part of Pakistan. It was ruled by the central government directly through the Khyber Pakhtun Khawa Governor which was a wrong decision. 1n 1951-52 Governor enhance the structure of those agreements to get greater control and authority in the Tribal belt. Pakistan government took the decision of keeping the tribal belt directly under their jurisdiction from the fear that it might be possible that tribal would join Afghanistan or Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province to make a new independent Pukhtunistan state. That is why central government couldn't make it a separate province or to join it with Khyber Pakhtun Khawa. In the same context Government of Pakistan also kept the area underdeveloped like British from the fear that if they were developed they might aware of their rights which might create problems for them in the near future. Following the foot step of British, Pakistan government gives some sort of special allowances to the tribal chiefs and keeps them silent misery of the area continue. To keep tribal unaware of their rights government couldn't allow the political activities in the area. In this case they also faviour Maliks by giving representation into National Assembly through Electoral College. After independence only one member from FATA can be elected for National Assembly of Pakistan and that member would be nominate by the political agent. Later on the number of tribal members for National Assembly would enhance to 8. The rules of electing those members were also changed. The new rule was called Electoral College. In this rule 35,500 maliks were registered out of which only 8 may be elected. Political agent (the most powerful man in the tribal area) can select the malik of the particular agency for the National Assembly. In 1996, almost 50 years after independence adult franchise (casting of vote right for every citizen) were introduced in FATA. In 2002 through Legal Frame Work Order (LFO) the number of seats fro tribal area was increased to 12. Under article 247 sub-sections 7 of 1973 constitution, Supreme Court of Pakistan are barred from exercising jurisdiction over FATA. The draconian FCR is the supreme law of the FATA which couldn't be challenges any where in Pakistan.  

If Pakistan government treated the area in such a rude and strange manner then what can be expect from the innocent tribal? They were regularly depressed in one or other way through out the history which compel the tribal to think negatively. Due to lack of professionalism, lack of industries, lack of education, lack of awareness tribal think for an alternatives profession to earn money. And finally they find an easy way to earn money by helping the foreigners to settle them in the area. This was started in 70s the situation was not good in neighbour Afghanistan. They just give shelter to the foreigners and get lot of money. Those foreigners prepared tribal for war against Russia in Afghanistan and termed it Jihad. Tribal also carried the arms from Pakistan to Afghanistan through mules and donkeys which also became a good source of income for them. In this way it became a very useful business for them. In short for earning money they were used to fight war in Afghanistan as Mujahideens. Later on they were declared terrorist, they turn against those who used them and the result is in their hands.

In short we can say that FATA is the most misunderstood land of the world. Neither Pakistan government nor any other country of the world tries to think about the fact that what is the problem with the tribal area? If Pakistan government and international community want to get rid of the violence in the tribal area they should take some sort of bold steps. They first indulge the tribal in some useful activities which not only give them a profession for earning money and kept them busy. This would save their time and they couldn't waste their times in thinking about wasteful activities. Their salary should be high because if they give the small amount of money they would think for another source of money and defiantly that source would be Talibans (foreigner’s agents). According to Crisis Group Report of October 2009, 'The Taliban’s rank and file reportedly receive a monthly salary of rupees (Rs.) 15,000 (almost $190), much more than many other occupations – including the tribal levies who earn a monthly salary of Rs. 3,500 (roughly $43).'

Secondly government should strict the immigration rules with Afghanistan. This could restrict the militants to the place where he is. In this way militant couldn't move freely in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Thirdly government should think properly to give a separate provincial status to tribal area. It might be two provinces due to its large area or government should add some adjacent area to Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in it and the other give a separate status. Avoid the addition of FATA totally in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa because it might create problems in administration.

Fourthly if international community wants to help Pakistan in handling FATA problem they should give opportunity to young educated tribal in their own countries.

Many other reforms may also be brought in FATA to handle the problem of violence in FATA. Most importantly Pakistan government should give time because it will take years to bring peace in the Pukhtoon region otherwise the plane may be destroyed and it will cost much more than the present destructions.  

0 Educational Philosphy of Baacha Khan

Educational Philosphy of Baacha Khan

Ihsanullah

Pakhtuns were ruled indirectly by Mughals, Sikh and British. Usually invaders found prominent people with in pakhtuns and ruled through them. Most of the invaders tries to impose themselves over pkahtuns but can’t succeed. Of all those British was the wise one. They subjugate pakhtuns through Sikhs and ruled them indirectly. Fear from pakhtuns abilities, British planed to destroy them in every field of life particularly in education.

After capturing most of the Indian Sub-continent territory, British starts struggle for spreading Christianity. They introduced missionary activities. Through those missionary activities British aimed conversion of pakhtuns to Christianity to defend themselves in Indian Sub-continent. For that dirty purpose British used the sacred profession of doctors and teachers. They establish missionary hospitals and schools in different parts of the region. They penalized people like Dr. Penal, Dr. Edward Herbert, Dr. Clark and Dr. Pander for those missionary activities. These people used their professions for missionary activities. Herbert Edward (first British Commissioner of Peshawar) opens Edward Mission School at Peshawar in 1853. Sir Robert Croft was appointed its first Principal. Initially it was a primary school but later on given the status of Higher Secondary and then the famous Edward College.

To stop such activities some one has to come forward for the rescue of Islam and revival of pakhtuns. In such a critical situation a man with charismatic qualities appear on the hopeless scenario of the region and give a hope to the society. That man was Haji Abdul Wahid popularly known as Haji Sahib of Turangzai. He felt that both Sikhs and British want to destroy pakhtuns socially and economically. Pakhtuns were indulged in             un-Islamic activities which disturb their social life. To get rid of those un-Islamic activities, Haji Sahib starts a movement for the reformation of pakhtun society. During that movement he felt that for the success of this movement it is important to impart religious education in the innocent masses. For this purpose he opens a chain of Madaris (religious schools) through out the region to counteract missionary schools. Haji Sahib couldn’t establish those madaris himself but common pakhtuns established those madaris with their own funds and Haji Sahib only manages those madaris. The number of those madaris is ambiguous. The British record suggested it as 34 but other sources place them 72, 120 and 150 respectively. Haji Sahib himself inspects the schools every month. The system was going very well which annoyed the British. And they open a war against him and his schools. He was arrested in 1910 and sent to Jail. This forced him to leave the settled area and migrated to Mohmand Agency where he lived till his death (1937).

Migration of Haji Sahib disturbs his educational plane. Though his disciples reopen those schools but couldn’t maintain the discipline. It was near that the whole system might flop. In the meantime an admirer of Haji Sahib came forward and took the responsibility of educating pakhtuns. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was the name of that person and world knows him as Baacha Khan. He was a landlord but knows exactly that what pakhtuns would needed? He was a part of Haji Sahib social reforms movement but greatly impressed by his educational plane. In attachment with that educational plane, Baacha Khan and Maulvi Abdul Aziz open a madrasa-cum-school in 1910 at Utmanzai. The mullahs opposed the plane by declaring it as a missionary school but they have no real alternative. They oppose Baacha Khan and his colleagues on different occasion.

After establishing that school at Utmanzai, Baacha Khan indulged in family matters which disturb his educational plane. His busyness continued till 1920. During that spare of time, Baacha Khan visited the whole region frequently. In his visit he noted ignorance and illiteracy among pakhtuns. From those experiences he concluded that for the revival of pakhtun society a revolution is needed. And revolution needs leaders and scholars. Indeed education is prerequisite for producing such type of leaders and scholars. To educate pakhtuns, Baacha Khan kept the foundation of Azad Islamia School in 1921 at Utmanzai. Maqsud Jan Khan of Bannu became the first headmaster of that Azad School at Utmanzai. His elder brother Amir Mumtaz Khan joins the school as a teacher. Both these brother left Islamia College Peshawar during Khilafat movement studying in B.A. They were gifted by his father Amir Mukhtar Khan to the Azad School of Baacha Khan. When Maqsod Jan left the school to continue his education, his elder brother Amir Mumtaz Khan became the headmaster of this school. Lack of teaching staff compels Bacha Khan to teach himself in the school. His both sons Khan Abdul Ghani Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan were among the first students of that school.

The idea of Azad School became so popular among pakhtuns which is a pleasing moment for the founder but that shocked the British. They weren’t interested in the uplift of the pakhtuns. To stop Baacha Khan from such activities they used different tactics. They humiliate Khan Teachers, by giving greed of enough salary and offer them better posts in Govt. schools but can’t succeed to defame Khan’s educational plane. In 1921 they arrested Baacha Khan under 40 FCR when he was busy in making a football ground for school children and sentenced three years imprisonment. His imprisonment works in favour of schools and in no times the number of school branches raises rapidly. Most of those branches were open in Charsaddah, Mardan, Swabi and Nowshehra tehsils.

Azad Schools was affiliated with Jamia Millia, Delhi, on December 1, 1923. Jamia Millia conducts its examinations and a number of students after passing matriculation in Azad Schools joined Jamia Millia for further education. The schools mainly followed the Jamia syllabus with necessary modification required by the local environment. Pashto was adopted as medium of instruction but certain subjects were thoughts in English. The curriculum also included teaching of the Holy Quran, Hadith, Fiqah, Arabic language and Islamic history to impart religious education in the Pakhtuns.

Successful experience of Azad Schools boosts Baacha Khan Confidence. He starts thinking about the establishment of a society for the reformation of pakhtuns. In 1921 he established the society with the name of ‘Anjuman-e-Islah Afaghina’ (Society for the reformation of Afghans). The society aimed to encourage the economic, social and educational uplift of pakhtuns. He stressed upon the pakhtuns to take on professions for earning money despite using their valid time in useless activities. To set an example, Baacha Khan himself open a shop at Gur Mandi (sugar cane market) and start working by himself in his own fields. The establishment of this association also aimed that it would take the responsibility of supervision of Azad schools chain and work for the opening of other schools.

During his tours he observed that Pakhtuns were not even conscious that Pashto was their language, and wherever they went, they adopt the local language and forget their mother tongue. They don’t teach their language to others and did not care to read and write in Pashto. For propagation of Pashto language, Baacha Khan started ‘Pakhtun’ journal in May 1928. He was the editor of the journal. Yearly subscription of the journal was Rs. 4 rupees. To attract the attention of the students, its yearly subscription was reduced to two and half rupees. Journal is of medium size having forty pages. Initially the journal was published in Rawalpidi, then in Amritser and finally at Peshawar. The journal contained well written articles on different subjects like politics, Pashto literature, Pashto poetry, Islamic history, gender issues, Indian affairs, social problems of pakhtun society, Afghan affairs and etc. In no time Pakhtun journal became a mouth piece of the pakhtuns. People not only in pakhtunkhawa but abroad also demanded for the journal. Its circulation was reached from 500 to 3000 which show how famous is this journal among pakhtuns. The main reason of its famousness was that there is no Pashto journal in the region till 1928. Other reason was its topics which mostly cover all fields of the region.

British were first feared from the Azad Schools and then from Pakhtun magazine of Baacha Khan. That’s why he was continuously involved in one or other matter and banned the journal. After release Baacha Khan starts republishing that magazine. This was even continued after the creation Pakistan but they all don’t shake Baacha Khan from his educational plane. He continued his struggle of educating Pakhtun till his death. His mission was carried on by his disciples even after his death.

In 2007 Baacha Khan Trust (BKT) reorganizes chains of Baacha Khan Azad Schools under Baacha Khan Trust Education Foundation (BKTEF) label. Muhammad Raza was appointed its Managing Director. He works hard for its propagation and in no time he spread a chain of those schools through out Pakhtunkhawa and FATA. Round about 14 branches were open. Among those Mathra Branch is the pioneer which was opened on 1^st September 2007 at a place donated by Muhammad Hashim Babar, former Awami National Party leader. This was followed 13 more branches which were open in different parts of the region. Among those 2 branches were open in Peshawar, (Mathra and Nautia), Malakand (Totakan and Dargai) and Karak District. A branch in Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Dir upper, Landi Kotal, Chitral, Thal and Kohat were also opened later on.

BKTEF was under supervision of board of directors which comprise 11 members. Presently Dr. Khadim Hussain is working as its Managing Director. With promotion of primary education BKTEF also working for Youth leadership and Culture Development. Beside this it also worked in civil society and environmental projects as well. BKTEF follow Oxford syllabus with necessary modification according to the environment. The schools mainly focused on development of Pashto in addition with I.T and religious knowledge. Medium of instruction is Pashto and English. BKTEF used to give free of cost education. Foundations provide books, uniforms free of cost and its fee structure is nominal. 

Establishment of BKTEF is a great achievement of BKT. The system not only educates pakhtuns but it also promotes Non-violence philosophy of Baacha Khan. In current context Pakhtuns need this philosophy badly to shake off the label of violent and terrorist. BKTEF play its part by promoting primary education and other projects like community development and youth leadership. Beside these projects foundation should start a project focusing non-violence philosophy and find specialists in this field to deliver lectures on it and aware masses of its importance.     

The foundation achieves their goals but needs more improvement. Foundation can improve it further if they follow the disciplines of Baacha Khan for which he struggle in his entire life. Those disciplines are to live simply, be punctual, trust worthy, avoid useless activities and work hard. If they follow these very principles then a time wills come when this system wills rules over all other education system that was followed in the region.