Federally Administered Tribal Area Research Articles

Role of Rawalpindi Medical University Students in Perspective of Public Health

Role of Rawalpindi Medical University Students in Perspective of Public Health

The Role of Higher Education as a Catalyst of Peacebuilding in Conflict Affected Regions: The Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after FATA Amalgamation

Purpose: The study critically reviews the educational structure, policies, emphasis, application of educational goals, achievements from rural to Higher education and protecting measures enabling the youth to get easy access to education. Since the creation of Pakistan emphasis laid down on the free and compulsory education for all but failed to address the nascent challenges surfaced in the form of violent extremism, sectarianism, intolerance, and lingual discrepancies. Although the literacy rate has been increased with the passage of time but the quality of education and practical application remains under darkness.
 Methodology: To evaluate the educational targets and achievements of the elementary and secondary education in former FATA. Historical method of research was adopted and Education policies from the dawn of freedom 1947 to 2010 were studied. Moreover, The provincial initiative of Educational sector plan (ESP) and its practical outcomes were critically analyzed.
 Findings: This research in its findings proposed that structure and curriculum of higher education be revisited and expanded promptly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) particularly within the newly merged areas for the restoration of social justice, cultural diversity, educational growth, state-building and peace building community.
 Implications: The research addresses that after the amalgamation of Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa how these conflicts affected areas can be reconstructed or rebuild through higher education. The research has focused on the universal mechanism of peacebuilding education in post conflict areas keeping in view the three approaches namely, Stability, Restructuring and peacebuilding through higher education.

Surveillance of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), Pakistan.

ABSTRACTThis molecular epidemiological study was designed to determine the antimalarial drug resistance pattern, and the genetic diversity of malaria isolates collected from a war-altered Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), in Pakistan. Clinical isolates were collected from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram agencies of FATA region between May 2017 and May 2018, and they underwent DNA extraction and amplification. The investigation of gene polymorphisms in drug resistance genes (dhfr, dhps, crt, and mdr1) of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax was carried out by pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Out of 679 PCR-confirmed malaria samples, 523 (77%) were P. vivax, 121 (18%) P. falciparum, and 35 (5%) had mixed-species infections. All P. falciparum isolates had pfdhfr double mutants (C59R+S108N), while pfdhfr/pfdhps triple mutants (C59R+S108N+A437G) were detected in 11.5% of the samples. About 97.4% of P. falciparum isolates contained pfcrt K76T mutation, while pfmdr1 N86Y and Y184F mutations were present in 18.2% and 10.2% of the samples. P. vivax pvdhfr S58R mutation was present in 24.9% of isolates and the S117N mutation in 36.2%, while no mutation in the pvdhps gene was found. Pvmdr1 F1076L mutation was found in nearly all samples, as it was observed in 98.9% of isolates. No significant anti-folate and chloroquine resistance was observed in P. vivax; however, mutations associated with antifolate-resistance were found, and the chloroquine-resistant gene has been observed in 100% of P. falciparum isolates. Chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance were found to be high in P. falciparum and low in P. vivax. Chloroquine could still be used for P. vivax infection but need to be tested in vivo, whereas a replacement of the artemisinin combination therapy for P. falciparum appears to be justified.

Surveillance of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), Pakistan

This molecular epidemiological study was designed to determine the antimalarial drug resistance pattern, and the genetic diversity of malaria isolates collected from a war-altered Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), in Pakistan. Clinical isolates were collected from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram agencies of FATA region between May 2017 and May 2018, and they underwent DNA extraction and amplification. The investigation of gene polymorphisms in drug resistance genes (dhfr, dhps, crt, and mdr1) of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax was carried out by pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Out of 679 PCR-confirmed malaria samples, 523 (77%) were P. vivax, 121 (18%) P. falciparum, and 35 (5%) had mixed-species infections. All P. falciparum isolates had pfdhfr double mutants (C59R+S108N), while pfdhfr/pfdhps triple mutants (C59R+S108N+A437G) were detected in 11.5% of the samples. About 97.4% of P. falciparum isolates contained pfcrt K76T mutation, while pfmdr1 N86Y and Y184F mutations were present in 18.2% and 10.2% of the samples. P. vivax pvdhfr S58R mutation was present in 24.9% of isolates and the S117N mutation in 36.2%, while no mutation in the pvdhps gene was found. Pvmdr1 F1076L mutation was found in nearly all samples, as it was observed in 98.9% of isolates. No significant anti-folate and chloroquine resistance was observed in P. vivax; however, mutations associated with antifolate-resistance were found, and the chloroquine-resistant gene has been observed in 100% of P. falciparum isolates. Chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance were found to be high in P. falciparum and low in P. vivax. Chloroquine could still be used for P. vivax infection but need to be tested in vivo, whereas a replacement of the artemisinin combination therapy for P. falciparum appears to be justified.

Socio-Economic and Political Impacts of Vocational Trainings on Tribal Community of Pakistan

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of vocational training imparted by the Federally Administered Tribal Area’s Development Authority (FATA-DA) in the socio-economic and political development of the tribal community in Pakistan. The survey was initiated in the year 2018 in FATA where 400 males in the age group (16-35 years) were selected for data collection through a disproportionate simple random sampling procedure. Cross Tabulation Analysis was conducted using SPSS. The result indicates that vocational training imparted by FATA-DA contributed very less to the socio-economic and political development of FATA’s youth. Among 13 indicators, the impact on only 02 indicators was found significant for the treatment group. This study concluded that vocational training does have a contribution to the socio-economic development of youth but in the case of FATA-DA sponsored training, the result was not desirable. This might be due to certain quality issues that must be taken into consideration during initiating a vocational training program for the socio-economic and political development of youth.

UNIFICATION OF FORMER FATA WITH KPK AND ITS IMPACT ON DOMESTIC SANCTUARY

FORMER FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area), is the most praiseworthy part of Pakistan, always deemed to be the rudimentary part of Pakistani province known as KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). After countless efforts and protracted delay, it came into being on 31st, May 2018. However, after this historically important incident, many changes were observed in the overall economy as well as the sanctuary situation of the country. Very little research is available to highlight the positive as well as negative impacts on domestic sanctuary. Therefore, keeping in view the above-explained scenario present study is devised to highlight all these concerns as well as future perspectives to put Pakistan on the success staircase. In this study, various aspects of FORMER FATA are highlighted including the unification of cultural attributes of FORMER FATA and KPK, conversion of the Jirga method into legal management, transfiguration of educational set up from Madrassa to schools, colleges, and universities. The Domino effect of this study enlightens the unsatisfactory attitude of government authorities for bringing up the living standards of inhabitants of FORMER FATA along with dawdling development projects. Therefore, it is the utmost need of the hour for government authorities to understand the subject matter and reconsider the attributes of FORMER FATA by considering it vital part of KPK as well as of Pakistan.

FATHER OF PAKISTAN QUAIDE AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH AND FORMER FEDERALLY ADMINISTERED TRIBAL AREA OF PAKISTAN

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Quaid-e-Azam) was a great leader as well as a founder of Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam does a lot of struggle for Pakistan. In 1947, the Quaid Azam instantly set the tone for the Pukhtun care of Pakistan’s new nation by removing from Former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). The purpose of this research is to find the relation between the father of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the former federally administered tribal area of Pakistan. There is also a need to address the problems of citizens residing in former federally administered tribal areas of Pakistan. A review study method was used in the study. Data was collected from previous researches. The results of our study demonstrate that the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam does have an unparalleled love for the citizens of FATA through their deep allegiance, their ultimate contributions as well as steadfast help throughout his journey to Pakistan. It can be concluded that the fata sconcerns will only be addressed if the tribal students’ equipment of education ornamentation. Although, there is a need to pay attention to former FATA.

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

This study investigated ticks and tick-borne microorganisms of small ruminants from five districts of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan. Morphological (n = 104) and molecular (n = 54) characterization of the ticks revealed the presence of six ixodid ticks: Rhipicephalus (Rh.) haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis (Hs.) punctata, Hs. sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence data for two mitochondrial (16S and cytochrome c oxidase 1) and one nuclear (second internal transcribed spacer) DNA regions provided strong support for the grouping of the six tick species identified in this study. Microfluidic real-time PCR, employing multiple pre-validated nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, detected 11 potential pathogens and endosymbionts in 72.2% of the ticks (n = 54) tested. Rickettsia (R.) massiliae was the most common pathogen found (42.6% of ticks) followed by Theileria spp. (33.3%), Anaplasma (A.) ovis and R. slovaca (25.9% each). Anaplasma centrale, A. marginale, Ehrlichia spp., R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii and endosymbionts (Francisella- and Coxiella-like) were detected at much lower rates (1.9–22.2%) in ticks. Ticks from goats (83.9%) carried significantly higher microorganisms than those from sheep (56.5%). This study demonstrates that ticks of small ruminants from the FATA are carrying multiple microorganisms of veterinary and medical health significance and provides the basis for future investigations of ticks and tick-borne diseases of animals and humans in this and neighboring regions.

Identification of irrigation potential areas, using multi-criteria analysis in Khyber District, Pakistan.

This study explores the opportunities for irrigated agriculture in Khyber District of Former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). Agriculture continues to be most important economic activity in Pakistan and former FATA is no exception. However, agriculture in the semi-arid Khyber District continues to suffer a decline due to excessive reliance on rainfall, which is drastically insufficient. Khyber District have large expanses of fertile land; however, farmers depend on unpredictable rain-fed agriculture, which has low productivity and food insecurity. There are a number of rivers in the region where great prospects exist for irrigated farming. Geographical information systems (GIS)-based multi-criteria analysis can be used to map areas with irrigation potential. The current study focused on different variables including soil texture, perennial rivers, land cover, topography, and dams. For this study, data was collected from diverse sources which include Google earth images, top sheets, land use land cover, soil texture map of FATA, and SRTM 30 Meter. The collected data was analyzed by using multi-criteria analysis in Arc GIS 10.2.2 by using MIF technique. The results of this research indicate that there is great potential for irrigated farming in the study area. Potential land for this purpose were divided into three categories, i.e., highly suitable which consisted of 678km2, or 26% of the total area; 1044km2 representing 40% were moderately suitable to irrigation; while the remaining 698km2 representing 27% were considered least suitable for irrigation. Likewise, 204km2 representing 7% were deemed unsuitable for irrigated agriculture mostly consisting of barren rocks. The results also illustrate how GIS as a tool can be used in the exploration of water resources in a scientific approach, thus making decision-making easier and more accurate.

Ethnomedicinal flora of Frontier Region Tank, Fata, Pakistan

Main objective of the study was to record the ethnobotanical uses of indigenous plants of the federally administered tribal area (FATA), Bhittani (Local Tribe). Total interviewed local informants of different ages through questionnaire were 212 (196 male and 16 female). Well-known statistical indices, Use Value (UVi) formula and Fidelity Level (FL%) were used for quantification of the recorded data. After identification, the collected specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Present findings reveal that 38 plants species belonging to 26 families were being used in the treatment of 31 different diseases. Regarding plant habit, herbs were the leading growth form (63%), followed by trees (24%) and shrubs (13%) respectively. Solanaceae (13.16%) was leading family used in curing various diseases, followed by Asteraceae and Moraceae (7.89% each). Most cited families by the informants were Solanaceae (5 species, 137 citations), Asteraceae (3 species, 81 citations), Moraceae (3 species, 69 citations) and Amaryllidaceae (2 species, 57 citations). Most of taxa were used in curing constipation and stomach problem (9.88% each), followed by pain and cough (7.41% each), digestive and fever (4.96% each). Most frequently used plant part for curing different diseases was leaves (33.33%), followed by fruits (21.67%) and roots (13.33%). Medicinal plants with most use values and high ranks were Withania coagulans (0.88) ranked 1st and Cichorium intybus 2nd (0.81) while Cichorium intybus also showed 100% FL value. Plants of study area provide most of the basic requirements for the survival of local communities. There is huge pressure exerted on the natural vegetation due to their overuse by the inhabitants of the area. If proper remedial measures are not taken soon, this process may lead to decline of the valuable plant species from the study area.

Outbreak Investigation of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in North Waziristan Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) - April 2016

Background: On 4th April 2016, community representative from village Spinwam, North Waziristan reported 39 suspected cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. FELTP Fellow and N-STOP Officer North Waziristan attached to Political Agent Office North Waziristan was tasked to visit the affected area and carry out necessary investigations.

Does Military Intervention Reduce Violence? Evidence from Federally Administered Tribal Area of Pakistan (2001–2011)

After the incident of 11 September 2001, military intervention in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan provides an exogenous shock to different types of violence. To evaluate the deterrence effect of the intervention on monthly tribal violence, I apply a difference-in-differences identification strategy which exploits within-districts variation in the outcome variable (violence) over time. The regression results show that military presence significantly deters tribal violence, that is, it decreases violent incidents by one to five per month. The deterrence effect varies within the given range due to different number of control districts and periods of analysis. These findings are statistically consistent with robustness and falsification tests.

Displacement from FATA Pakistan (2009-2016): Issues and Challenges

Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan is one of the most neglected regions in the world as far as development is concerned. It has been the hub of all sorts of illegal activities including militancy and export of terrorism. Thus, it became inevitable for the government of Pakistan to act against militants through military operations. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from the tribal areas of the country due to conflicts. Moreover, military operation Zarb-e-Azb has been launched in North Waziristan Agency in June 2014. Apart from its success, the operation displaced around 0.5 million people. This paper evaluates how the influx of these IDPs in the country is affecting the socio-economic situation. Secondly, attention has be paid to gauge the impact of such a huge number of displaced population on the law and order and security situation in the host areas.

Response rates of standard interferon therapy in chronic HCV patients of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

BackgroundInterferon based therapy is used to eradicate the Hepatitis C Virus from the bodies of the infected individuals. HCV is highly prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) that is why it is important to determine the response of standard interferon based therapy in Chronic HCV patients of the region.Study designA total of 174 patients were selected for interferon based therapy. The patients were selected from four different regions of KPK. After confirmation of active HCV infection by Real Time PCR, standard interferon with ribavirn was given to patients for 6 months. After completion of therapy, end of treatment virologic response (ETR) was calculated.ResultsOut of total 174 patients, 130 (74.71%) showed ETR and 44 (25.28%) did not show ETR. In district Bunir, out of 52 patients, 36 (69.23%) showed ETR and 16 (30.79%) did not show ETR. In district Mardan, out of the total 74 patients, 66 (89.18%) were negative for HCV RNA and 8 (10.81%) were resistant to therapy. In Peshawar, out of 22, 16 (60%) were negative and 6 (40%) were positive for HCV RNA at the end of 6 months therapy. In the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), out of 18 only 10 (55.5%) were negative and 8 (44.45%) were positive for active HCV infection.ConclusionIt is concluded that the response of antiviral therapy against HCV infection in chronic HCV patients of KPK province is 74.71%. The high response rate may be due to the prevalence of IFN-responsive HCV genotypes (2 and 3) in KPK.

A study of employee satisfaction in terms of organization culture

This study investigated the link between organizational culture and employee satisfaction in developmental sector’s organizations [(International Non-government Organizations (INGOs), National Non-Government Organizations (NNGOs) and government run development programs (GRDPs)] working in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan. A sample size of 401 was collected for full-fledged study after verifying the reliability and validity through pilot study. The statistical analyses were done on 378 usable responses which include descriptive statistics, spearman correlation analysis, ordinal logistic regression analysis, model fitting information. Model conceptualized for study proved significant tendency of association for four dimensions of organizational culture (strategic direction, reward and incentive system, collaboration and coordination and integration) with employee satisfaction. The findings also include significant correlation between organizational culture and employee satisfaction in organizations working for development of FATA and KP. Development sector’s organizations working in KP and FATA can integrate these findings by developing organizational culture in such a way as to increase job satisfaction of their employees, motivating them to remain and build their career within the organization. In this way, the organization can minimize the probability of losing talented individuals and henceforth more likely to work effectively for development of forgotten/deprived areas. Key words: Organizational culture, job satisfaction, International Non-Government Organizations (INGOs), Government Run Development Programs (GRDPs),Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA).

Prevalence of hepatitis B in the blood donors of N- W.F.P and FATA regions and the current scenario of HBV infection in Pakistan

Hepatitis B is a fatal liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. In this study, blood donors from various districts of the North-western frontier province and the federally administered tribal area (FATA) of Pakistan were tested for HBsAg and HBV DNA by ICT (Immuno-chromatographic test), ELISA and RTPCR. Out of the 7148 blood donors, 244 (3.41%) were positive for HBsAg by ICT, 147 (2.05%) by ELISA while 132 (1.85%) were positive by PCR. Our data indicates that the incidence of hepatitis B has decreased in these regions in recent times.

Prevalence of hepatitis B in the blood donors of N- W.F.P and FATA regions and the current scenario of HBV infection in Pakistan

Hepatitis B is a fatal liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. In this study, blood donors from various districts of the North-western frontier province and the federally administered tribal area (FATA) of Pakistan were tested for HBsAg and HBV DNA by ICT (Immuno-chromatographic test), ELISA and RTPCR. Out of the 7148 blood donors, 244 (3.41%) were positive for HBsAg by ICT, 147 (2.05%) by ELISA while 132 (1.85%) were positive by PCR. Our data indicates that the incidence of hepatitis B has decreased in these regions in recent times.

Pushtun Ethnonationalism and the Taliban Insurgency in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan

This article examines the rise and contemporary dynamics of the Taliban insurgency in the NWFP and FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) regions of Pakistan. It argues that the Taliban insurgency is not necessarily a product or reflective of Pushtun ethnonationalism. Instead, it is based on a particular interpretation of Islam, irrespective of ethnic or linguistic demarcations. U.S. and NATO military intervention along the Afghan-Pakistan border since 2001 has exacerbated the Taliban insurgency in Pakistan.

Misunderstanding Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Area?

Misunderstanding Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Area?

Al Qaeda in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan and Beyond

After the U.S. led coalition forces attacked Al Qaeda and Taliban infrastructure in Afghanistan beginning in October 2001, the epicenter of global terrorism moved from Afghanistan to tribal Pakistan. Known as the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) in Pakistan, this region has emerged as the premier hunting ground for the Al Qaeda leadership. With the co-option of new groups in FATA and its adjacent North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), the Al Qaeda threat has proliferated. The threat posed by the Afghan Taliban has been compounded with the addition of a new range of actors notably the Pakistani Taliban. Working together with multiple threat groups, both foreign and Pakistani, Al Qaeda directs its global jihad campaign from FATA. Unless the terrorist enclave is cleared on the Afghan-Pakistan border, the threat to Afghanistan and mainland Pakistan will continue. This article seeks to map the evolution of Al Qaeda and its associated groups since their relocation to FATA.