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North West Frontier Province
 Historically,
the North-West Frontier province (N.W.F.P) has always been an important area
due to its strategic location, lying on the way from Central and West Asia to
the South Asia subcontinent, through
variouspasses, speciallythe Khyber. The area came into sharper focus during
the British rule who wanted a buffer to keep away Russian influnce. Its role
as a buffer continued until the Afghan and British Governments agreed in 1893
on delineating the Durand Line which has served since as border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its borders touch or
are too close to that of China,
USSR and the disputed
territory of the state of Jammu and Kashmir
in the north and Afghanistan
to the west all along from the Pamirs to the rugged terrain of South Waziristan. It has a boundless past, hoary and
unknown. Its barren hills and passes have seen many well-known conquerors and
adventurers, like Alexander, Timur, Babar, Nadir and Abdali. Its snowcapped
peaks, lush green valleys of breath-taking beauty attract tourists and
mountaineers from far and near. While its art and architecture is no less
well known than the historic Khyber
Pass. Its climate
varies from very cold (Darosh, in the north) to very hot in place like Tank
in Waziristan. Once cradle of Gandhara
civilisation, the area is now known for its devout Muslims who jealously
guard their religion and culture and the way of life which they have been
leading for centuries. The province is divided between the tribal and
"settled" areas. The tribal areas which are close to the borders of
Afghanistan
enjoy great measure of autonomy, have their own system of justice and
administration, overseen by the Agents of the Governor of the province. But
with the impact of modern means of transport and the breaking of its
isolation the area stands exposed to new ideas and new way of life. Among the
more well known tribes are the Afridis, Yusufzais, Mohamands, Orakzais,
Waziris and Banauchis etc. In 1901, the Province of North-West
Frontier was created in place of the buffer
zone and was divided into the 'settled' and 'tribal' areas. The tribal area
between the Durand Line and the "settled" districts served not only
as the buffer zone but also helped in dealing with its hostile and formidable
tribes. After the creation of Pakistan
(1947), the tribal area ceased to be a buffer and was granted a special
lego-administrative status to protect its socio-cultural milieu and to
improve its socio-economic conditions.
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