THE SHIN KAMAR ROAD TO TIRAH

Throughout history, the rulers of India have tried to forcefully occupy the tribal areas of today's North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. These mountainous areas have always attracted their attention, not because of the beautiful valleys but because of its strategic significance. All the passes connecting Afghanistan and India lie in this area. When Afghanistan and India used to be part of the same empire during the Afghan and Mughal rule, these passes had to be secured for a safe passage. When the British came, they tried to win over the tribes and elicit their support so as to be able to deter a Russian advance on occurrence. The British did make some progress at the cost of many expeditions and casualties.

After the exit of the British in 1947, the tribal areas east of the Durand Line became part of Pakistan. It therefore became the duty of the government to carry out development works in these areas. Many roads have since been constructed and development projects launched thereafter. However, some of the areas are still inaccessible including the beautiful Tirah valley. The Tirah valley lies along the Durand Line south of the Khyber Pass and west of Khajuri Plain. It. can be approached by many tracks, which are used by mule trains loaded with items of daily use. Tirah belongs to the Afridis, who have their summer dwellings here. They come down to Khajuri Plain in winters. Previously they had many cave dwellings along Bara River but now possess permanent houses in Khajuri Plain, thanks to Allah the Almighty that the Bara irrigation scheme was constructed.

From Bara or Khajuri Plain area, a road leads to Fort Salop and beyond this is the Shin Kamar Road to Tirah. It remained under construction since early 1993. The road from Fort Salop leads to Nawai Bazaar, which was once a big market and now gives a deserted look. While travelling on the road on 07 May 1994, I observed many cave dwellings in the area. From Nawai Bazaar onwards, the road has been constructed by cutting the mountain side. Finally the road enters the Shin Kamar Kandao where the road comes to an end. However, pickups do ply beyond to Lakarai Baba. (RA) Ziarat via Zaodin, which is visible from the Kandao. Zaodin is the Zakha Khel Afridi area. I was told that from Lakarai Baba (RA) Ziarat, the track leads to Momal Patti, Mastak of Aka KheI, Bakar of Zakha Khe1 and then the Sipah area. From there, one could walk to Rozgal-Dwatoi area and Mehraban Kali to Maidan in Tirah. This area is inhabited by Kamar Khels, Malakdin Khels and Koki Khels.

A climb onto a high shoulder of Shin Kamar Kandao brings a vast waterless plain into view, beyond Zaodin, on the farthest end. The Bara River and Burki village on its bank can also be easily spotted. The village on its bank reminded me of Hazrat Bayazid Ansari (RA) and the Mughals. He and his family had the support of Tirah tribes during the entire struggle. The village must have existed since those trying days of 16th and 17th centuries AD. Beyond the river is the difficult area due to the non-existence of the road. It can be assessed from the plight of an officer when his mother had died in Peshawar area. The officer belonged to Tirah and according to his mother's wish, she had to be buried in Tirah. The officer was reported to have said: "Our elders do not allow road but want to be buried in Tirah as per their will."

In a situation arising out of lack of communications, the problems confronted by the living are obvious. The patients literally undergo a traumatic experience while being evacuated to hospitals. However, a beginning has now been made and it is hoped that along with it other roads will also be constructed and development initiated for the socioeconomic uplift of the area. Fear of the tribesmen remains that their traditions are likely to be adversely affected. To offset their apprehensions, the government can give guarantee that irrespective of the magnitude of the ongoing developmental effect and long-term strategy aimed at the integration of the tribal areas into the national mainstream, the sanctity of Pakhtun tribal traditions will remain inviolable.