F.R. Bannu
The administration of F.R. Bannu tribal area is looked after by the deputy commissioner Bannu district. It is located between 32˚56’ and 33˚16’ north latitudes and 70˚22’ and 70˚52’ longitudes. It is bounded on the north by Karak district, on the east by Bannu district, on the north by tribal area adjoining Lakki Marwat and on the west by North Waziristan agency. Its total area is 877 square kilometers. The total population of the area in 1998 was 19,593. There is no urban locality in the area. There were 160 villages in 1998.
Physical Features
The entire territory of this tribal area is composed of hills of medium height between 450 to 11200 meters. The highest peak (1,216) of the area is located to the south of Walai. Kharaghora is the prominent range in the southern part of the area with an average height of almost 850 meters. Three of the important western tributaries of the Indus namely Kurram, Baran and Tochi rivers flow across this tribal area. The cultivated area is about 33,000 acres. Wheat, maize and sugarcane are the main crops. Some dates and citrus trees are grown in the orchards in the plains of the kurram and Tochi Rivers. Most of the area is barani i.e. rain-fed. However, a small area is irrigated through the Marwat Canal, Kurram River, Toch River, Khaisor Algad etc.
Climate
It experiences hot summers and cold winters. Summer season starts in April and continues till October. June, July and August are the hottest months. Winter season starts in November and lasts till March December, January and February are the coldest months. Due to intense heat the majority of the population migrates to the hills of Shawal and Birmal in North and South Waziristan agencies.
Administrative Setup
The Bannu Frontier Region had been administered through the deputy commissioner with the district officer Frontier Constablary Daryoba as assistant political agent for the Ahmadzais and the political tehsildar for the Utmanzais wazirs and Bhittanis. However, in 1976 a separate post of assistant political agent was sanctioned for the entire tribal area under the administrative control of the deputy commissioner, Bannu. The Bannu Frontier Region is the federally administered tribal areas and all the financial liabilities for economic development and general administration, are borne by the federal government. The district coordination officer (the defunct deputy commissioner office) Bannu is actively supported by the Frontier Constabulary in addition to Khasadars engaged for political administration. The affairs of FR Bannu are largely regulated through for essentially involving Jirga system. Besides FCR, most of the cases of Bannu FR areas are decided by the local laws (Riwaj) and Shariat.
Tribes and Race
The tribes inhabiting F.R.Bannu include the Ahmadzais divided into Kalu Khel and Sin Khels. Ahmadzais are the largest tribe, followed by the Uthmanzais. The combined strengths of the Ahmadzais and the Bhaittanis is hardly half that of the Ahmadzais. The Uthmanzais are divided nto Jani Khels and Baka Khels. While the Bhittanis are divided into Boba, Bobak and Wargara. The main Ahmadzais villages are Gumbati, Paen Bizan Khel, Daryoba, Samgari, Sirki Pal, Zarwam, Wali Gangi Khel, Painda Khel, Dargai, Lakarai, Kuza Sam, Chashmai, Isor Ghar, and Chapari. While, the Uthmanzais are mainly concentrated in the villages of Kotka, K.B Kotka Sher Khan, Kotlka Malik Sher Khan, Kotka Malik Surat Khan, Kotka Kot Hindi Khel, Kotka Ali Khel, Khojdar Khel, Sian Tanga, Warika Jani Khel and Sardikhel Kalan.
In F.R. Bannu there are 233 Maliks and 81 Lungi holders (Safedresh).
In F.R. Bannu there are 749 Khassadars ranging from the ranks of Subedar Major (junior commissioned officer) to the Sepoy (a constable, or foot soldier).