Mohid Masood
Bms-8
Final project
Script for documentary
Today’s South Waziristan
South Waziristan was established in 1893 as an agency of Federal Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA). The capital city of South Waziristan is Wana having eight tehsils with an area of 6,619 square kilometers. The total population is around 679,185. Waziristan was under the government of the Afghan Empire, when the British invaded Waziristan in 1894. They divided Waziristan into two agencies: North and South Waziristan. The people of Waziristan are very brave and patriotic Pakistanis, yet they love their own tribal culture, values and traditions.
When Pakistan gained independence in 1947, these tribes/agencies opted to be a part of Pakistan and the government of Pakistan assured them respect for their culture and values. These tribal people are said to be the frontline defenders of Pakistan. During the India Pakistan war in 1965, they participated along with the Pakistan army and fought bravely to liberate occupied Kashmir. Similarly, in 1979, when Russia invaded Afghanistan and Pakistan’s geographical security was at stake, these tribal people participated in jihad against Russian forces. Due to the Afghan war, this area has remained the center of various militant groups and foreign forces, due to which the trade of illicit arms and drugs penetrated in the society. After Russia’s defeat, a new war of terrorism erupted in the region. In this scenario, Americans launched their operations in this area to trace Osama bin Laden and his accomplices. It was a great task to counter terrorist activities of various militant groups along with protecting the peaceful and law-abiding citizens of South Waziristan.
Throughout that period, a large number of foreign agents penetrated the area and created their hideouts to carry their militant and subversive activities. These terrorist groups were well equipped with latest weapons but, the Pakistan army very tactfully handled the situation; army troops saved the lives of thousands of civilians and eliminated the terrorist groups. In this war the civilian population fully cooperated and supported the Pakistan army. As a result, the operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad were completed. In this war on terror, more than eight thousand security forces personnel embraced martyrdom and more than fourteen thousand soldiers were wounded. It is worth mentioning that the whole world appreciated the Pakistan army for its victory in the most difficult war against terrorism.
After the operations, restoration of infrastructure and provision of basic amenities to the area was another great challenge for Pakistan army. During this war, which lasted for 14 years and 9 months, roads, bridges, electricity and water supply, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure, was badly damaged. The government allocated special funds for the rehabilitation of the people and construction of infrastructure like:
• Gomal Zam Dam
Dams are a very useful resource in the development of any area especially those like Waziristan. Realizing this, the Pakistan army constructed the Gomal Zam Dam on Gomal River that was completed in April 2011. The multi-purpose Gomal Zam Dam was a joint project of Pakistan army and U.S Aid, with the latter providing USD$ 139 million. Its construction greatly benefitted the irrigation system of the area and the subsequent development of nearby agricultural lands. The powerhouse was completed in March 2013 and electricity production started in August 2013. This dam adds an additional 17.4 megawatt of electricity to the national grid, due to which it helped Pakistan meet some of its electricity supply gap. The people of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan have revived hope for a better tomorrow. This dam converted 191,300 acres of barren land in the Tank and tehsil kolaachi of Dera Ismail Khan Districts to cultivatable land.
A 264 kilometers network of concrete lined canals was laid down in addition to 186 kilometers of flood drainage sewers and 42km of flood embankments. This mega project of the Pakistan army and US Aid was expected to increase the income of more than 30,000 households in the area. Through this, the locals of Gomal Zam area have finally found not only water but hope too.
• Sholam Sheikh Fatima Hospital
Health care was one of the direst problems of the area. There were no proper medical facilities to the ailing people. In case of any emergencies, the people had to be shifted to hospitals in developed cities e.g. Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, etc. However, thanks to Sholam Sheikh Fatima Hospital, now people are provided medical care at their doorstep. Beside basic health units, a new hospital has also been established known as Sholam Sheikh Fatima Hospital. The UAE-funded hospital opened in July 2016, and provides advanced excellent medical services for the children, women and elderly among others of South Waziristan.
The hospital provides services to 300 patients a day at its accident and emergency department, 200 children at the preventive medicine section and provides polio vaccines amongst the plethora of treatments offered. This joint grand project of the Pakistan Armed forces and UAE is worth US$5million hospital and sits on a 4,330 square meter plot, and has facilities including an outpatient clinic, gynecology, maternity, and emergency departments. There is also a kidney dialysis center, operation theatres and intensive care units.
Agriculture Park, Wana
Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy of Wana, and there was a great need to promote agro business in the tribal society. Previously farmers had to take their entire agro product like wheat, dry fruit, and vegetables to far flung city markets which cost them heavy transport charges etc. All these difficulties resulted in slim profit margins. Keeping in view their difficulties, the administration established a new agro market known as Agriculture Park in South Waziristan’s capital city Wana. The park cost approximately Rs. 880 million, and houses 128 shops in the complex.
Here local growers get good prices for their products and is equally beneficial for the local buyers. This agro market improved the economy of the whole area. The Agro Park also provided growers opportunities for the processing and preservation of pine nuts, fruits and vegetables.
• Educational
Illiteracy is the one of the root cause of militancy. To counter this situation, the government deemed education as the top most priority. Hence, in order to encourage the young boys and girls from primary to high school, education facilities were provided in all tehsils of South Waziristan. New buildings with furniture, library, laboratories, sports and playgrounds were established, where fully qualified and trained teachers are to teach the young generation of the tribal areas. Besides local schools, two cadet colleges and army public schools serve as exemplary educational center that attract the young tribal boys and girls. The standard of these institutions is not below that of any other cadet college and army public school in the country. Cadets studying in these colleges are fully committed to their dream of joining the Pakistan army in the future and are working tirelessly to achieve their aspirations.
