Unmatched picturesque spots in Orakzai ready for Unveiling
Pakistan Times National News Desk

KALAYA (Orakzai Agency): Mountainous and remote Orakzai agency which possesses unmatched picturesque spots is on the road to progress and development to capture its unique tourism potential by developing road network and other essential infrastructures.

"I have been to many countries of the world but the scenic beauty and lush green landscape of Orakzai agency has no match all over the world. It has best scenic places", said Political Agent Orakzai Agency Yusaf Khan while briefing visiting Peshawar based journalists at his office in Hangu.

The HQs

"We are thinking to shift headquarters of the agency to Kalaya to administer the affairs by sitting inside the agency", he told journalists. He recalled that an attempt was in made in 1984 to shift the headquarters to Kalaya but failed to materialize due to intra tribal bickering.

The Plan

The plan to move inside the agency, would materialize after construction of Ghiljo-Kalaya road, he said, adding, in ADP 2004-05, major thrust is on the construction of vital inter agency roads as it has poor road infrastructure, the Political Agent remarked. There is no road between two sub divisions Ghiljo and Kalaya and as such the administration is sitting in Hangu.

The journalist delegation had a day long tour of the agency up to Kalaya, encircled by lush green mountains from all four sides with a beautiful hilly track and other resorts coming all along the way.

The Political Agent said, the anti-development tribesmen of Mamozai area have now brought visible changes in their attitude and are cooperating with the administration in execution of development works which were non-existent three years ago. In first go, black topped roads have been constructed and Rs.100 million project has been undertaken there.

Poppy Crop

Similarly poppy crop has totally been destroyed in Mamozai area without the use of force. The administration used political means to destroy the crop. Pre-sowing strategy has been adopted by engaging clerics to inform the tribesmen about the ill effects of poppy growth.

Perspective

Orakzai agency possesses best quality coal in abundance which have even been exported in limited quantity, the Political Agent informed. However, he expressed regret over growing disputes and difference among tribesmen over coal deposits.

Journalists were shown under mega construction development projects which nobody could think of few years ago. But the determination and will of Governor NWFP Lt.Gen (retd) Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah made all this possible. Today a network of developments schemes in the field of education, health, irrigation, drinking water, agriculture, forests etc are under completion in the agency which remained in low profile viz a viz development a couple of years back.

Computer Institute

The opening of Orakzai Computer Institute in Kalaya is another important project for which the entire credit goes to the Governor.

"We have introduced computers in Orakzai Agency", said the Political Agent. A visit to the computer institute revealed that 110 students have been enrolled who are being imparted computer basic training on P-IV in six different shifts, each shift is of two hours duration.

The students are charged a nominal fee of Rs.150 per month whereas the trainers are given Rs.5000 monthly salary. The computer trainers have been given training at Peshawar at the expense of political administration.

Syed Haleem Hussain a student of the institute told journalists that he has been for the last two months been learning different computer programmes. However, due to constant power breakdown, their training was adversely affected.

The newly established Girls Degree College in Kalaya is another big achievement of the Government as in the past the girls had no access to the higher education. At present 73 girls students are enrolled in the college, Principal of the college told. The land for the construction has been provided free of cost by a local Malik.

Rehabilitation Centre

First of its kind a Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled is under-construction in Kalaya on a at four kanal plot which is being constructed from Political Agent's own fund. Extension work in Civil Hospital is going at fast pace to improve the health delivery system in Kalaya, said Dr.Chirgah Hussain Incharge of the hospital.

The construction work includs extension in bed capacity of the hospital from 38 to 58 and establishment of two more specialties that is Gynae and Surgery. The extension work will cost Rs.20 million. Out of the sanctioned eleven posts of doctors, only four are working at present in the civil hospital where the daily OPD is between 70- 80.

Assistant Political Agent Kalaya Iqbal Khattak told journalists that Rs.40 million have been earmarked for the construction of Agency Headquarters Hospital in the ADP 2004-05 of the agency. In all three sites have been identified of which one would be selected, he added. Hostel for working women is also under construction in the agency which is expected to complete by June-2006.

Mishti Mala-Takhtak Link

Similarly, 21 kilometers long Mishti Mala-Takhtak road has been indicated in the current ADP for which Rs.25 million have been allocated for phase one of the project which comprises ten kilometers.

The Assistant Political Agent informed that agency has been cleared of poppy crop and the tribesmen have been warned not to grow poppy in their fields in the coming season.

Since the agency comprises 95 percent mountainous terrain, agriculture land is less. As many as 24 sites have been identified to preserve rain water from being wasted in flash floods.

Afforestation

Afforestation and block plantation is another area where the Governor NWFP is concentrating a lot. The visit to the agency revealed that huge bloc plantation on mountain is going on successfully. Sawai Mela bloc plantation and Anjani Agriculture Nursery have been established in 2001-02 over 60 acres of land by Forest Range Orakzai which is planting pine, wall nuts, Cheer, Dobina, and lenthus on high altitude mountains.

The total ADP size 2004-05 is Rs.250 million with major thrust on improvement of communication, health, and education as handsome allocations have been made for each sector in the development programme. As many as eleven mega projects in these three sectors each consisted of almost Rs.20 to 40 millions have been undertaken in the agency.

Orakzai is the youngest amongst all the seven tribal agencies with no border with Afghanistan. However, it has border with Khyber and Kurram Agencies, Kohat and Hangu. While it is the only agency which has many exit and entry points which is a constant source of nuisance for the administration to effectively monitor its borders. It has a population of 224000 with 18 tribes. The male literacy rate is 4.71% and female 0.69% percent.●