North Waziristan

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North Waziristan
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Agency
Map of agencies and frontier regions in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest P
akistan * North Waziristan * FATA * Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Map of agencies and frontier regions in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest P
akistan
North Waziristan FATA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Country Pakistan
Established 1910
Headquarters Miranshah
Government
Political agent Muhammad Yahya Akhunzada
Area
Total 4,707 km2 (1,817 sq mi)
Population (1998)
Total 361,246
Density 77/km2 (200/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
Main language(s) Pashto, English
North Waziristan (Urdu: ????? ????????? Shomali Waziristan) is the northern part
of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northeast Pakistan, bordering Afghanista
n and covering 11,585 square kilometres (4,473 sq mi). Waziristan comprises the
area west and south-west of Peshawar between the Kurram River (Tochi River) to t
he north and the Gomal River to the south, forming part of Pakistan's Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Miranshah is capital of North Waziristan. Bann
u, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lies immediately to the east. The region became an indepen
dent tribal territory in 1893, remaining outside of the British empire and Afgha
nistan. Tribal raiding into British territory was a constant problem for the Bri
tish, requiring frequent punitive expeditions between 1860 and 1945. The region
became part of Pakistan upon its independence in 1947.
Waziristan is divided into two "agencies", North Waziristan and South Waziristan
, with estimated populations (as of 1998) of 361,246 and 429,841 respectively. T
he two parts have quite distinct characteristics, though both tribes are subgrou
ps of the Waziri tribe, after which the region is named,[1] and speak a common W
aziri language. They have a formidable reputation as warriors and are known for
their frequent blood feuds. Traditionally, feuding local Waziri religious leader
s have enlisted outsiders in the Pakistani government, and U.S. forces hunting a
l-Qaeda fugitives, in attempts at score-settling. The tribes are divided into su
b-tribes governed by male village elders who meet in a tribal jirga. Socially an
d religiously, Waziristan is an extremely conservative area. Women are carefully
guarded, and every household must be headed by a male figure. Tribal cohesivene
ss is strong because of "Collective Responsibility Acts" in the Frontier Crimes
Regulation.
In 1910, North Waziristan Agency was constituted as a full-fledged agency with i
ts headquarters at Miranshah. It is inhabited by the Pashtun Wazir and Dawari tr
ibes. The agency lies from 32.35 degrees to 33.22 degrees north latitude and 69.
22 degrees to 70.38 degrees east longitude. It is bounded on the north by Afghan
istan, Kurram Agency and Hangu District, on the east by tribal areas adjoining t
he Bannu and Karak Districts, on the south by South Waziristan Agency and on the
west also by Afghanistan. The total area of the agency is 4,707 square kilometr
es (1,817 sq mi).