Breeding Ground of Terrorism - The NWFP of Pakistan

North West Frontier Province, the northern mostprovinces in 1919. In 1935, however, the
province of Pakistan covers an area of 39,283government of India Act raised its status to that
square miles (1,01,743 Sq.Kms.,) and is boundedof a Governor's province and allowed provincial
by Afghanistan to the West and North, Jammuautonomy.
and Kashmir to the north east, Punjab province toIndependence:
the south-east and Baluchistan province to theAfter independence in 1947 the region continued
south west. In the 1981 census the populations ofto exist as a separate province. The feudal state
the province (including those living in tribal areas)of Phulra and Amb were merged with the
was about 13,000,000. Peshawar is the provincialprovince in 1950. In 1955 North-West Frontier
capital.Province, along with other provinces was
HISTORYamalgamated in to West Pakistan provinces. After
The Early Period:the dissolution of West Pakistan provinces in 1970,
The early history of the province is related to thethe region regained its former provincial status,
ancient state of Gandhara which was comprisedand the status of Swat, Div and Chitrul were
of the vale of Peshawar & adjoining areas.added to its territory.
The kingdom was important because of itsCultural Life:
strategic location at the end of the Khyber Pass,The Pushtuns have a rich cultural heritage in which
the most direct and easily negotiable route tothey take great pride. Pukhtunwali or Pushtunwali
Afghanistan, Iran and central Asia. Gandhara was(way of the Pushtuns), constitutes a code of
annexed by the Persian Achaemeid Empire in thehonour that imposes three chief obligation-badla or
early 6th century BC, and it remained a Persianrevenge is the most important and blinding aspect
satrapy until 327 BC. The region then passedof pakhtunwal. But in contrast nanwatai, the right
successively under Greek Indians, Indo0Bactrian,to seek asylum; and kael-mastya, which entitles a
Sakan, Parthian and Kushan rule.stranger or even an enemy to hospitality are also
Muslim administration was first brought to theingrained in their ethos.
region by the Turks, whose ruler, Sebuktigin,The Pushtuns are an intensely religious people who
gained control of Peshawar by AD 988. His son,uphold a long tradition of preserving their freedom.
Mohmud of Ghazni invaded northern India severalTheir council of elders, the Jirgah, settles disputes
times between 1001 and 1027, bringing a largeand maintains high standards of justices. In the
area of the present province, excludingtribal order the position of the malik or Khan, the
Hazara-into his Ghaznavid Empire. In 1179head of the tribe is most distinguished. Each village
Maizz-ud-din Muhammad of Ghur capturedhas at least one guest house, hujrah whaib which
Peshawar which remained under his rule until hisalso serves as a club or town hall. Their festivals
death in 1206. After the decline of the Ghurids,are mostly of a religious nature, but entertainment
the region was held first by the Muslim, afghansuch as tent pegging and the whirling khatak
dynasties and then by the Mughals. After thedance demonstrate the people's martial spirit. Folk
invasion of the Persian ruler Nader Shah in 1738,love is generally related to the theme of Pashtun
the territory remained under loose form ofbravery as to other traditional characteristics.
Afghanistan Durrani rule.Breeding of Terrorism
The Sikh invasion from the Punjab region of IndiaWe have now a fair idea of the type of people
began in 1818 after which the Sikh increasinglywho constitute this area. Yet the fact remains
made themselves the masters of the frontierthat this area has become the hot bed of
territory until the coming of British in 1849.fundamentalism. If it was only religion one could
British Period:perhaps have ignored it, but the inverse
The north western frontier areas where annexedinterpretation of Jihad (holy war) and the zeal to
by the British after the second Sikh war of 1849.covert the world to Islam cannot be ignored.
They formed a part of Punjab (including what isThe tribals of this region have been led to believe
now the India state of Punjab) until north-westthat the noblest form of death is to kill as many
frontier provinces were created in 1901. The new'Kafirs (non believers)' as possible. The ensuing
province was administered from Peshawar by acertain death will be an elevating experience and
Chief Commissioner and agent to the Governorthe man who dies for the Islamic cause will go to
General. The territory was not granted theheaven.
measure of self rule given to the other Indian