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Coordinates: 33°43′50.2″N 71°00′54.2″E / 33.730611°N 71.015056°E / 33.730611; 71.015056
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{{tone|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name = Orakzai District
| native_name = {{lang|ur|{{nq|ضلع اورکزئی}}}}<br>{{lang|ps|{{script/Arabic|اورکزي ولسوالۍ}}}}
| name = Orakzai District
| native_name_lang =
| native_name = اورکزي<!-- if different from the English name -->
| official_name =
| native_name_lang = ps<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "ur" for Urdu. -->
| other_name = Orakzai Agency<br>{{lang|ur|{{nq|اورکزئی ایجنسئ}}}}<br>{{lang|ps|{{script/Arabic|اورکزي ایجنسئ}}}}
| settlement_type =District<!-- such as Town, Village, City, Borough etc. -->
| settlement_type = [[List of districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|District]] of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
<!-- images --->
| image_skyline = Orakzai.jpg
| image_skyline = Orakzai.jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_caption = Village in Orakzai district
| image_map = {{wikidata|property|raw|P242}}
<!-- maps and coordinates ------>
| image_map = FATA Dist Oarakzai.svg
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Orakzai District (red) in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
| coordinates = {{coord|33|43|50.2|N|71|00|54.2|E|display=inline,title}}
| map_caption = District map of FATA and NWFP. Districts of FATA are shown in orange; Orakzai is located in the centre.
| subdivision_type = Country
| coordinates =
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Pakistan}}
<!-- location ------------------>
| subdivision_type1 = [[Subdivisions of Pakistan|Province]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}
| subdivision_name = Pakistan<!-- the name of the country -->
|subdivision_type1 = [[Subdivisions of Pakistan|Province]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Pakistan|Division]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kohat Division|Kohat]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
| established_title = Established
<!-- established --------------->
| established_date = 30 November 1973 (as an [[Agency (country subdivision)|agency]] of [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]])
| established_title = Established
<!-- seat, smaller parts ------->| seat_type = Headquarters
| established_date = 30 November 1973 (as an [[Agency (country subdivision)|agency]] of [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]])
| seat = [[Ghiljo Bazar]]<small> (Upper Orakzai)</small><br>[[Kalaya]]<small> (Lower Orakzai)</small>
<!-- seat, smaller parts ------->
| seat_type = Headquarters
| parts_type = Number of [[List of tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Tehsils]]
| parts_style = para
| seat =[[Ghiljo Bazar]]<small> (Upper Orakzai)</small><br>[[Kalaya]]<small> (Lower Orakzai)</small>
| parts_type = Number of [[Tehsil]]s
| p1 = 4
| parts_style = para
| p2 = <!-- etc., up to p50: for separate parts to be listed-->
<!-- government type, leaders -->| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| p1 = 4
| government_type = District Administration
| p2 = <!-- etc., up to p50: for separate parts to be listed-->
| leader_party =
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| leader_title = [[Deputy Commissioner (Pakistan)|Deputy Commissioner]]
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_name = Mr Muhammad Khalid [[Pakistan Administrative Service|(BPS-18 PAS)]]
| government_type =
| leader_title1 = District Police Officer
| leader_title = Political agent
| leader_name1 = Nazir Ahmed Khan Tanoli [[Police Service of Pakistan|(BPS-18 PSP)]]
| leader_name = Mr Khushal Khan
| leader_title2 = District Health Officer
<!-- area ---------------------->
| leader_name2 = N/A
| area_footnotes = <ref name="1998census">{{Cite book| title = 1998 Census report of Orakzai Agency| location = Islamabad| publisher = Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan| series = Census publication | volume = 143| date = 9992000}}</ref>{{rp|1}}
<!-- area ---------------------->| area_footnotes = <ref name="1998census">{{Cite book| title = 1998 Census report of Orakzai Agency| location = Islamabad| publisher = Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan| series = Census publication | volume = 143}}</ref>{{rp|1}}
| area_total_km2 = 1538
| area_total_km2 = 1538
<!-- elevation ----------------->
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- elevation ----------------->| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_max_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| elevation_min_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_min_m = <!-- population ---------------->
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2023 census"/>
<!-- population ---------------->
| population_total = 387561
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census">{{cite web|url=http://www.pbscensus.gov.pk/sites/default/files/bwpsr/fata/ORAKZAI_SUMMARY.pdf|title=DISTRICT AND TEHSIL LEVEL POPULATION SUMMARY WITH REGION BREAKUP [PDF]|publisher=www.pbscensus.gov.pk|date=2018-01-03|accessdate=2018-03-25}}</ref>
| population_as_of = [[2023 Pakistani census|2023]]
| population_total = 254,356
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_as_of = 2017
<!-- time zone(s) -------------->| population_urban = 0
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rural = 387,561
<!-- time zone(s) -------------->
| timezone1 = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PST]]
| timezone1 = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5
| utc_offset1 = +5
<!-- postal codes, area code --->
<!-- postal codes, area code --->| postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code =
| postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code =
| iso_code = <!-- twin cities --------------->
| blank_name_sec1 = Main language(s)
| iso_code =
| blank_info_sec1 = [[Pakhto language|Pakhto]]<ref name="1998census"/>{{rp|16}}
<!-- twin cities --------------->
<!-- website, footnotes -------->| website = {{url|orakzai.kp.gov.pk}}
| blank_name_sec1 = Main language(s)
| footnotes =
| blank_info_sec1 = [[Pashto language|Pashto]] (99.7%)<ref name="1998census"/>{{rp|16}}
}}
<!-- website, footnotes -------->
| website = [http://www.orakzai.com Orakzai.com]
| footnotes =}}


'''Orakzai District''' ({{lang-ps| '''اورکزو ولسوالۍ'''}}, {{lang-ur|'''ضِلع اورکزئ'''}}) is a [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] in [[Kohat Division]] of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province in [[Pakistan]]. Until 2018, it was an [[Agency (country subdivision)|agency]] of [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]]. With the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it became a district. Before to 1973, it was part of [[FR Kohat]].
'''Orakzai District''' ({{langx|ps|اورکزي ولسوالۍ}}, {{langx|ur|{{nq|ضلع اورکزئی}}}}) is a [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] in the [[Kohat Division]] of the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province of [[Pakistan]]. Before 1973, it was part of [[FR Kohat]]. Up until 2018, it was an [[Agency (country subdivision)|agency]] within the erstwhile [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]]. However, with the merger of the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|FATA]] with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it attained the status of a district.


==History==
==History==
The [[Orakzai]] tribes take their name, which literally means "the lost son" (''Wrak Dzoy''), from a romantic legend about their ancestor, Sikandar Shah, who was a prince from [[Iran]], was exiled or lost, and after many adventures married and ruled in [[Tirah]] (you can say Orakzai is a Persian royal family).{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} The tribal area now forming Orakzai Agency was previously included in Frontier Region Kohat district and remained as such until 30 November 1973.
The [[Orakzai]] tribe derives its name, Wrak Zoy ("the lost son" ), in a literal sense, from a romantic legend, Sikandar Shah. This ancestral figure, a prince hailing from Iran, was subjected to exile. After a series of adventures, he married and ruled in the region of [[Tirah]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=11 militants killed in Pakistan's Orakzai agency |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/03/08/11-militants-killed-in-Pakistans-Orakzai-agency/97121362765044/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hussain |first=Syed Iftikhar |last2=Marwat |first2=Fazal-ur-Rahim |date=2009 |title=A New Look at Federally Administered Tribal Areas |url=http://ojs.uop.edu.pk/ancientpakistan/article/view/138 |journal=Ancient Pakistan |language=en |volume=20 |pages=123–136 |issn=2708-4590}}</ref> The tribal area now forming Orakzai District was previously included in the Frontier Region of Kohat district. This status persisted until the 30th of November, 1973.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}


The Biland Khel, a small pocket of about 6.5 square kilometres, is part of this agency and is two kilometres off Thall, bordering North Waziristan and Kurram agencies. Responding to a long-standing demand of the Orakzais, the then President of Pakistan announced the creation of Orakzai Agency on 3 November 1973 and was formally inaugurated on 1 December 1973. Before it was upgraded to agency status, this area was administered as a Frontier Region of the Kohat district by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohat.
The Biland Khel or Boland Khel, a small pocket of about 6.5 square kilometers, is part of this district and is two kilometers off Thall, bordering North Waziristan and Kurram agencies. Responding to a long-standing demand of the Orakzais, the then [[President of Pakistan]] announced the creation of Orakzai Agency on 3rd of November, 1973 and was formally inaugurated on 1st of December, 1973. Before it gained the status of an agency, this area was administered as a Frontier Region of the Kohat district by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohat.


The Orakzai Agency consists of two sub-divisions: Upper sub-division and Lower sub-division. The Upper sub-division comprises two Tehsils, Upper Tehsil and Ismailzai Tehsil, and the Lower sub-division also has two Tehsils, Lower Tehsil and Central Tehsil. The land of the Orakzai tribes is between 33° -33' to 33° -54' north latitudes and 70° -36' to 71° -22' east longitudes. It is bounded in the north by Khyber Agency, in the east by FR Kohat, in the south by Kohat and Hangu districts, and in the west by Kurram Agency. The total area of the agency is 1,538 square kilometres.
The Orakzai District consists of two sub-divisions: Upper sub-division and Lower sub-division. The Upper sub-division comprises two Tehsils, Upper Tehsil and Ismailzai Tehsil, and the Lower sub-division also has two Tehsils, Lower Tehsil and Central Tehsil. The land of the Orakzai tribes is between 33° -33' to 33° -54' north latitudes and 70° -36' to 71° -22' east longitudes. It is bordered in the north by Khyber District, in the east by FR Kohat, in the south by the Kohat and Hangu districts, and in the west by Kurram District. The total area of the district is 1,538 square kilometers.


Certain Orakzai tribes like the Masozai and half the Lashkarzai find themselves in [[Kurram Agency]] for historical and administrative reasons. An ethnic [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] [[Bangash]] tribe, the Buland Khel, is attached to the Orakzai agency also for administrative and historical reasons, although they live some distance from the agency between [[Thall]] and [[Bannu]], [[North Waziristan]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
Certain Orakzai tribes like the Masozai and half the Lashkarzai find themselves in [[Kurram Agency]] for historical and administrative reasons. An ethnic [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] [[Bangash]] tribe, the [[Buland Khel]] or [[Beland Khil]], is attached to the Orakzai agency also for administrative and historical reasons, although they live some distance from the agency between [[Thal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Thall]] and [[Bannu]], [[North Waziristan]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}


Then Prime Minister [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] announced the creation of the agency at a grand tribal [[jirga]] at [[Samana (Orakzai)]], and it began functioning on 1 December 1973. Before this, the Orakzai tribes were part of the [[Kohat]] and Hangu Frontier region. The headquarters of the agency are at [[Hangu District (Pakistan)|Hangu District]], but [[tehsil]]-level headquarters are in Kalaya and [[Ghiljo Bazar]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
Then Prime Minister [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] announced the creation of the agency at a grand tribal [[jirga]] in Samana, and it began functioning on 1 December 1973. Before this, the Orakzai tribes were part of the [[Kohat]] and Hangu Frontier region. The headquarters of the agency are at [[Hangu District, Pakistan|Hangu District]], but [[tehsil]]-level headquarters are in Kalaya and [[Ghiljo Bazar]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[File:Orakzai District.png|thumb|429x429px|Tehsils of Orakzai District]]
The valley is flanked by mountain ranges 6,000 to {{convert|7000|ft|m}} high. Among the seven tribal agencies, Orakzai Agency is the second smallest in area after [[Bajaur Agency]]. It is bounded by [[Kurram Agency]] in the west, [[Khyber Agency|Khyber]] in the north, [[Kohat District]] on the south and [[Peshawar]] in the east. The whole of the territory of Orakzai agency is a mountainous tract dissected by numerous dry water courses, especially in the southwest part of the agency. The two major streams are the Mastura River and [[Khanki Toi River]], both of which originate from the hills to west and run eastwards.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
The valley is flanked by mountain ranges 6,000 to {{convert|7000|ft|m}} high. Among the seven tribal agencies, Orakzai Agency is the second smallest in area after [[Bajaur Agency]]. It is bounded by [[Kurram Agency]] in the west, [[Khyber Agency|Khyber]] in the north, [[Kohat District]] on the south and [[Peshawar]] in the east. The whole of the territory of Orakzai agency is a mountainous tract dissected by numerous dry water courses, especially in the southwest part of the agency. The two major streams are the Mastura River and [[Khanki Toi River]], both of which originate from the hills to west and run eastwards.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}


Orakzai Agency is a hilly region with a fertile valley. The elevation of the hills varies from over {{convert|10000|ft|m}} in the west and to less than {{convert|6650|ft|m}} in east. Generally the elevation of the plain varies from 5,200 to {{convert|5500|ft|m}} above sea level. Important peaks are [[Sangla, India|Sangla]] (6325&nbsp;ft) and Chara Kandaco (5643&nbsp;ft). The height of Kalaya and Sangla is nearly equal.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
Orakzai Agency is a hilly region with a fertile valley. The elevation of the hills varies from over {{convert|10000|ft|m}} in the west and to less than {{convert|6650|ft|m}} in east. Generally, the elevation of the plain varies from 5,200 to {{convert|5500|ft|m}} above sea level. Important peaks are [[Sangla, India|Sangla]] (6325&nbsp;ft) and Chara Kandaco (5643&nbsp;ft). The height of Kalaya and Sangla is nearly equal.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}


Orakzai Agency is characterized by intensely cold winters and mild summers. December, January and February are the coldest months and snow falls in these months. Summers are mild and the maximum temperature does not go above 30 degrees Celsius. Surrounding mountains are covered by dense thick forests, which produce a cooling effect in summer. Due to the geographical position of Orakzai and its thick forest cover, it rains throughout the year. In winter, the precipitation is snowfall over the surrounding mountains and the valley. There is no rain gauge, but rainfall is estimated to be around {{convert|36|in|mm}} per year.
Orakzai Agency is characterized by intensely cold winters and mild summers. December, January and February are the coldest months and snow falls in these months. Summers are mild and the maximum temperature does not go above 30 degrees Celsius. Surrounding mountains are covered by dense thick forests, which produce a cooling effect in summer. Due to the geographical position of Orakzai and its thick forest cover, it rains throughout the year. In winter, the precipitation is snowfall over the surrounding mountains and the valley. There is no rain gauge, but rainfall is estimated to be around {{convert|36|in|mm}} per year.

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|align=center
|percentages=pagr
|1961 |209,616
|1972 |283,557
|1981 |358,751
|1998 |225,441
|2017 |254,303
|2023 |387,561
|footnote= Sources:<ref>{{cite web |title=Population by administrative units 1951-1998 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |publisher = [[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref><ref name="2023 census"/>}}

As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Orakzai district has 52,104 households and a population of 387,561. The district has a sex ratio of 112.14 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 33.57%: 50.70% for males and 14.97% for females. 138,265 (35.68% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. The entire population lives in rural areas.<ref name="2023 census">{{cite web|title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url= https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk|publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> 812 (0.21%) people in the district were from religious minorities, mainly Christians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 9 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_9.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> [[Pashto]] was the predominant language, spoken by 99.87% of the population.<ref>{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 11 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/kp/dcr/table_11.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] }}</ref>

==Tourism==
{{Copy edit|date=March 2024}}
Nanawar cave is located in Mani Khel Dara Orakzai Tribal District. It is approx 200 Meters long cave with 2 entrances and is home to thousands of bats & spiders. The cave traces its history back thousands of years with varying opinions and myths: -

•Thousands of years back, lava erupted here and it seems like a bubble trapped in lava which made this cave.

•Second opinion is that it is a limestone cave which ended up on water channel beneath the surface in summer water.

•Other opinion of the historian is that the graves on the ground in the general area are not Muslim graves, and it is believed that this cave was used for meditation in [[Kanishka]] times 127 CE.

•The myth that its farther end is unexplored, seems false. It has a farther end with a graduated narrowing/ suffocating effects due to low oxygen.

History of Nanawar Cave compiled by Zakir Ullah Khan.


==Administration==
==Administration==


Orakzai District is currently subdivided into four [[List of tehsils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Tehsils]].<ref name="census">{{cite web|url=http://www.pbscensus.gov.pk/sites/default/files/bwpsr/fata/ORAKZAI_SUMMARY.pdf|title=DISTRICT AND TEHSIL LEVEL POPULATION SUMMARY WITH REGION BREAKUP [PDF]|publisher=www.pbscensus.gov.pk|date=2018-01-03|access-date=2018-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326141522/http://www.pbscensus.gov.pk/sites/default/files/bwpsr/fata/ORAKZAI_SUMMARY.pdf|archive-date=2018-03-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Orakzai District is currently subdivided into four tehsils.<ref name="census" />


* [[Central Orakzai Tehsil]] ({{langx|ur|{{nq|تحصیل اورکزئی وسطی}}}})({{langx|ps|{{script/Arabic|منځني اورکزي تحصیل}}}})
* [[Central Orakzai Tehsil]]
* [[Ismail Zai Tehsil]] ({{langx|ur|{{nq|تحصیل اسماعیل زئی}}}})({{langx|ps|{{script/Arabic|اسماعیلزي تحصیل}}}})
* [[Ismail Zai Tehsil]]
* [[Lower Orakzai Tehsil]] ({{langx|ur|{{nq|تحصیل اورکزئی زیریں}}}})({{langx|ps|{{script/Arabic|ښکته اورکزي تحصیل}}}})
* [[Lower Orakzai Tehsil]]
* [[Upper Orakzai Tehsil]] ({{langx|ur|{{nq|تحصیل اورکزئی بالا}}}})({{langx|ps|{{script/Arabic|پورتنۍ اورکزي تحصیل}}}})
* [[Upper Orakzai Tehsil]]


===Upper Orakzai===
===Upper Orakzai===
Upper Orakzai is a [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]] constituency in the Orakzai District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecp.gov.pk/content/ROARONA.htm |title=List of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers of the National Assembly Constituencies |accessdate=20 February 2008 |work=Election Commission of Pakistan }}</ref>
Upper Orakzai is a [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]] constituency in the Orakzai District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecp.gov.pk/content/ROARONA.htm |title=List of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers of the National Assembly Constituencies |access-date=20 February 2008 |work=Election Commission of Pakistan }}</ref>


Some of main areas of Upper Orakzai include:
Some of main areas of Upper Orakzai include:
* [[Ghiljo Bazar]]
* [[Ghiljo Bazar]]
*
* Dabori{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
* Sama Bazar
* Mishti Mela, Tagha Sam
* [[Ghotak Eisa khel]]
* Kool
* Mishti mela
Upper Orakzai is the Sub-Division of Orakzai District.
Upper Orakzai is the Sub-Division of Orakzai District.
The main office are in [[Ghiljo Bazar]].
The main office are in [[Ghiljo Bazar]].
Upper Orakzai includes four big sections:
Upper Orakzai includes four big sections:
Ali Khel
Ali khel
Mola Khel
Mola Khel
Mamozai
Mamozai
Ali Sherzai
Ali Sherzai
Eisa khel
Ahkhel
Shikhan


===Lower Orakzai===
===Lower Orakzai===
Lower Orakzai agency is subdivision. Headquarter is in '''kalaya town''' named Kalaya Headquarter, a populated area of Orakzai agency. The main sections are
The Lower Orakzai agency is a subdivision. The headquarters is in '''Kalaya,''' named Kalaya Headquarters, and is a fairly populated area of Orakzai agency. The main sections are: Sepoy''',''' Bar Muhammad Khel''', '''Mani Khel''', ''' Feroz Khel, Utman Khel, Bezoti and Stori Khel

''Kalaya Bazar''', ''Bar Muhammad khel''', '''Mani khel ''', ''' Feroz khel''' .
=== Provincial Assembly ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Member of Provincial Assembly !! Party Affiliation !! Constituency !! Year
|-
| [[Syed Ghazi Ghazan Jamal Orakzai]]||[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] ||[[PK-94 (Orakzai)|PK-94 Orakzai]]||[[2019 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election|2019]]
|}


== Education ==
== Education ==
According to [[Pakistan District Education Rankings|Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017]] published by [[Alif Ailaan]], Orakzai District ranks 125th in Pakistan in terms of primary school infrastructure while it ranks 132nd in Pakistan for middle school infrastructure.
According to Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017 published by [[Alif Ailaan]], Orakzai District ranks 125th in Pakistan in terms of primary school infrastructure while it ranks 132nd in Pakistan for middle school infrastructure.


In terms of education score, Orakzai District stands at 103rd number in National Ranking. The retention score is 30.03 whereas the gender parity score is 63.14 from the available data.
In terms of education score, Orakzai District stands at 103rd number in National Ranking. The retention score is 30.03 whereas the gender parity score is 63.14 from the available data.


Lack of government schools and provision of teachers are among the main issues reported by the residents of Orakzai District using the [https://elections.alifailaan.pk/taleemdo-app/ Taleem Do! App].
Lack of government schools and provision of teachers are among the main issues reported by the residents of Orakzai District using the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074507/https://elections.alifailaan.pk/taleemdo-app/ Taleem Do! App].


==Culture==
==Culture==
Culture of the area is dominantly [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]], with people adhering strongly to the Pashtun code of conduct also known as "Pakhto or [[Pashtunwali]]". Religion is evident in their lifestyle. People are very much social and maintain Hujra culture. Hujra is a community centre, guest house, meeting place, court and shelter. People adhere strongly to the [[jirga]] system for peace and justice where saying of the respectable elders is observed.
Culture of the area is dominantly [[Pakhtun people|Pashtun]], with people adhering strongly to the Pashtun code of conduct also known as "Pakhto or [[Pashtunwali]]". Religion is evident in their lifestyle. People are very much social and maintain Hujra culture. Hujra is a community centre, guest house, meeting place, court and shelter. People adhere strongly to the [[jirga]] system for peace and justice where saying of the respectable elders is observed.
Pakhto or [[Pashtunwali]]".


==Talibanization and Army offensive==
==Talibanization and Army offensive==
{{Copy edit|date=March 2024}}
[[Talibanization]] of the area started back in 2006 when [[sectarian violence]] was at a peak. In the beginning, the [[Taliban]] were welcome because no one knew their real intentions, they intermingled with the locals in the start and when they were in sufficient numbers, they started to dictate to the people. The local people found themselves helpless and were forced to obey. The [[Shia Islam in Pakistan|Shia]] population resisted Talibanization in the first place. There are many incidents to cite. In Kalaya village, August 2013, an incident happened. The Taliban attacked and kidnapped 230 Orakzai people. Some of the old, young men, women and children were arrested. Taliban tortured a lot and martyred 80 innocent people. After one week the remaining people founded the Pakistan army's operation against Talibans. So many people were injured. Taliban destroyed whole Kalaya village and Orakzai's business. People migrated to different places and different countries to save their lives. After a humiliating defeat in [[Waziristan]], the Taliban fled to Orakzai Agency. Very soon the area witnessed intense violence and the Army started an unannounced offensive ([[Orakzai and Kurram offensive]]). The army cut them in the west from the [[Kurram Agency]], in the south from [[Kohat]] and in the east from [[Bara, FATA|Bara]] and started an attack. Locals supported the army to their capacity and soon they were forced to flee and evacuate the lower subdivision. Heavy damages were inflicted upon them in the upper subdivision also and their influence in the area reduced very much. This resulted in the mass evacuation of the IDPs towards Kohat and [[Hangu, Pakistan|Hangu]] where they were given shelter in camps. The situation has defused greatly in Lower Orakzai division, but an army operation against Taliban militants continues in Central and Upper sub-divisions.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Dawn |title=South Waziristan operation: Only Sararogha cleared in three years |url=http://dawn.com/2012/08/06/south-waziristan-operation-only-sararogha-cleared-in-3-years/}}</ref>
[[Talibanization]] of the area started back in 2006 when [[sectarian violence]] was at a peak. In the beginning, the [[Taliban]] were welcome because no one knew their real intentions, they intermingled with the locals in the start and when they were in sufficient numbers, they started to dictate to the people. The local people found themselves helpless and were forced to obey Taliban dictates. In [[Kalaya]] village in August 2013, the Taliban attacked and kidnapped 230 Orakzai people. Elderly Orakzai, young men, women and children were arrested. Taliban tortured many, and martyred 80 innocent people. After one week the remaining people founded the Pakistan army's operation against the Talibs. Many people were injured. The Taliban entirely destroyed Kalaya village and Orakzai's business. People migrated to different places and different countries to save their lives. After a humiliating defeat in [[Waziristan]], the Taliban fled to Orakzai Agency. Very soon the area saw intense violence and the Army commenced an unannounced offensive ([[Orakzai and Kurram offensive]]). The army cut the Taliban in the west from the [[Kurram Agency]], in the south from [[Kohat]] and in the east from [[Bara, FATA|Bara]] and began an attack. Locals supported the army and soon the Taliban were forced to flee and evacuate the lower subdivision. Heavy casualties were also inflicted upon them in the upper subdivision, and their influence in the area was greatly reduced. This resulted in the mass evacuation of the IDPs towards Kohat and [[Hangu, Pakistan|Hangu]] where they were given shelter in camps. The situation has defused greatly in Lower Orakzai division, but an army operation against Taliban militants continues in Central and Upper sub-divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Zulfiqar |date=2012-08-06 |title=South Waziristan operation: Only Sararogha cleared in three years |url=https://www.dawn.com/2012/08/06/south-waziristan-operation-only-sararogha-cleared-in-3-years/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
Lower Orakzai Agency.
*[[Wachpal]]
Village Kalaya.
*[[Orakzai Scouts]]
It is a small village in the centre of Lower Orakzai Agency. People say it the Heart of Orakzai. A small village ″Terai″ situated in lower orakzai agency consider to be the first and ancestor of Orakzai people.


==References==
==References==
<references />

{{Reflist}}

{{Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}
{{Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Federally Administered Tribal Areas}}

{{coord missing|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}


[[Category:Agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas]]
[[Category:Orakzai District| ]]
[[Category:Orakzai Agency| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]

Latest revision as of 03:47, 3 January 2025

Orakzai District
ضلع اورکزئی
اورکزي ولسوالۍ‎
Orakzai Agency
اورکزئی ایجنسئ
اورکزي ایجنسئ‎
District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Village in Orakzai district
Village in Orakzai district
Orakzai District (red) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Orakzai District (red) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Coordinates: 33°43′50.2″N 71°00′54.2″E / 33.730611°N 71.015056°E / 33.730611; 71.015056
Country Pakistan
Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
DivisionKohat
Established30 November 1973 (as an agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas)
HeadquartersGhiljo Bazar (Upper Orakzai)
Kalaya (Lower Orakzai)
Number of Tehsils4
Government
 • TypeDistrict Administration
 • Deputy CommissionerMr Muhammad Khalid (BPS-18 PAS)
 • District Police OfficerNazir Ahmed Khan Tanoli (BPS-18 PSP)
 • District Health OfficerN/A
Area
[1]: 1 
1,538 km2 (594 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)[2]
387,561
 • Density250/km2 (650/sq mi)
 • Urban
0
 • Rural
387,561
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Main language(s)Pakhto[1]: 16 
Websiteorakzai.kp.gov.pk

Orakzai District (Pashto: اورکزي ولسوالۍ, Urdu: ضلع اورکزئی) is a district in the Kohat Division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Before 1973, it was part of FR Kohat. Up until 2018, it was an agency within the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas. However, with the merger of the FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it attained the status of a district.

History

[edit]

The Orakzai tribe derives its name, Wrak Zoy ("the lost son" ), in a literal sense, from a romantic legend, Sikandar Shah. This ancestral figure, a prince hailing from Iran, was subjected to exile. After a series of adventures, he married and ruled in the region of Tirah.[3][4] The tribal area now forming Orakzai District was previously included in the Frontier Region of Kohat district. This status persisted until the 30th of November, 1973.[citation needed]

The Biland Khel or Boland Khel, a small pocket of about 6.5 square kilometers, is part of this district and is two kilometers off Thall, bordering North Waziristan and Kurram agencies. Responding to a long-standing demand of the Orakzais, the then President of Pakistan announced the creation of Orakzai Agency on 3rd of November, 1973 and was formally inaugurated on 1st of December, 1973. Before it gained the status of an agency, this area was administered as a Frontier Region of the Kohat district by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohat.

The Orakzai District consists of two sub-divisions: Upper sub-division and Lower sub-division. The Upper sub-division comprises two Tehsils, Upper Tehsil and Ismailzai Tehsil, and the Lower sub-division also has two Tehsils, Lower Tehsil and Central Tehsil. The land of the Orakzai tribes is between 33° -33' to 33° -54' north latitudes and 70° -36' to 71° -22' east longitudes. It is bordered in the north by Khyber District, in the east by FR Kohat, in the south by the Kohat and Hangu districts, and in the west by Kurram District. The total area of the district is 1,538 square kilometers.

Certain Orakzai tribes like the Masozai and half the Lashkarzai find themselves in Kurram Agency for historical and administrative reasons. An ethnic Pashtun Bangash tribe, the Buland Khel or Beland Khil, is attached to the Orakzai agency also for administrative and historical reasons, although they live some distance from the agency between Thall and Bannu, North Waziristan.[citation needed]

Then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto announced the creation of the agency at a grand tribal jirga in Samana, and it began functioning on 1 December 1973. Before this, the Orakzai tribes were part of the Kohat and Hangu Frontier region. The headquarters of the agency are at Hangu District, but tehsil-level headquarters are in Kalaya and Ghiljo Bazar.[citation needed]

Geography

[edit]
Tehsils of Orakzai District

The valley is flanked by mountain ranges 6,000 to 7,000 feet (2,100 m) high. Among the seven tribal agencies, Orakzai Agency is the second smallest in area after Bajaur Agency. It is bounded by Kurram Agency in the west, Khyber in the north, Kohat District on the south and Peshawar in the east. The whole of the territory of Orakzai agency is a mountainous tract dissected by numerous dry water courses, especially in the southwest part of the agency. The two major streams are the Mastura River and Khanki Toi River, both of which originate from the hills to west and run eastwards.[citation needed]

Orakzai Agency is a hilly region with a fertile valley. The elevation of the hills varies from over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in the west and to less than 6,650 feet (2,030 m) in east. Generally, the elevation of the plain varies from 5,200 to 5,500 feet (1,700 m) above sea level. Important peaks are Sangla (6325 ft) and Chara Kandaco (5643 ft). The height of Kalaya and Sangla is nearly equal.[citation needed]

Orakzai Agency is characterized by intensely cold winters and mild summers. December, January and February are the coldest months and snow falls in these months. Summers are mild and the maximum temperature does not go above 30 degrees Celsius. Surrounding mountains are covered by dense thick forests, which produce a cooling effect in summer. Due to the geographical position of Orakzai and its thick forest cover, it rains throughout the year. In winter, the precipitation is snowfall over the surrounding mountains and the valley. There is no rain gauge, but rainfall is estimated to be around 36 inches (910 mm) per year.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1961 209,616—    
1972 283,557+2.78%
1981 358,751+2.65%
1998 225,441−2.70%
2017 254,303+0.64%
2023 387,561+7.27%
Sources:[5][2]

As of the 2023 census, Orakzai district has 52,104 households and a population of 387,561. The district has a sex ratio of 112.14 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 33.57%: 50.70% for males and 14.97% for females. 138,265 (35.68% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age. The entire population lives in rural areas.[2] 812 (0.21%) people in the district were from religious minorities, mainly Christians.[6] Pashto was the predominant language, spoken by 99.87% of the population.[7]

Tourism

[edit]

Nanawar cave is located in Mani Khel Dara Orakzai Tribal District. It is approx 200 Meters long cave with 2 entrances and is home to thousands of bats & spiders. The cave traces its history back thousands of years with varying opinions and myths: -

•Thousands of years back, lava erupted here and it seems like a bubble trapped in lava which made this cave.

•Second opinion is that it is a limestone cave which ended up on water channel beneath the surface in summer water.

•Other opinion of the historian is that the graves on the ground in the general area are not Muslim graves, and it is believed that this cave was used for meditation in Kanishka times 127 CE.

•The myth that its farther end is unexplored, seems false. It has a farther end with a graduated narrowing/ suffocating effects due to low oxygen.

History of Nanawar Cave compiled by Zakir Ullah Khan.

Administration

[edit]

Orakzai District is currently subdivided into four Tehsils.[8]

Upper Orakzai

[edit]

Upper Orakzai is a National Assembly constituency in the Orakzai District.[9]

Some of main areas of Upper Orakzai include:

Upper Orakzai is the Sub-Division of Orakzai District. The main office are in Ghiljo Bazar. Upper Orakzai includes four big sections: Ali khel Mola Khel Mamozai Ali Sherzai Eisa khel Ahkhel Shikhan

Lower Orakzai

[edit]

The Lower Orakzai agency is a subdivision. The headquarters is in Kalaya, named Kalaya Headquarters, and is a fairly populated area of Orakzai agency. The main sections are: Sepoy, Bar Muhammad Khel, Mani Khel, Feroz Khel, Utman Khel, Bezoti and Stori Khel

Provincial Assembly

[edit]
Member of Provincial Assembly Party Affiliation Constituency Year
Syed Ghazi Ghazan Jamal Orakzai Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf PK-94 Orakzai 2019

Education

[edit]

According to Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017 published by Alif Ailaan, Orakzai District ranks 125th in Pakistan in terms of primary school infrastructure while it ranks 132nd in Pakistan for middle school infrastructure.

In terms of education score, Orakzai District stands at 103rd number in National Ranking. The retention score is 30.03 whereas the gender parity score is 63.14 from the available data.

Lack of government schools and provision of teachers are among the main issues reported by the residents of Orakzai District using the Taleem Do! App.

Culture

[edit]

Culture of the area is dominantly Pashtun, with people adhering strongly to the Pashtun code of conduct also known as "Pakhto or Pashtunwali". Religion is evident in their lifestyle. People are very much social and maintain Hujra culture. Hujra is a community centre, guest house, meeting place, court and shelter. People adhere strongly to the jirga system for peace and justice where saying of the respectable elders is observed.

Talibanization and Army offensive

[edit]

Talibanization of the area started back in 2006 when sectarian violence was at a peak. In the beginning, the Taliban were welcome because no one knew their real intentions, they intermingled with the locals in the start and when they were in sufficient numbers, they started to dictate to the people. The local people found themselves helpless and were forced to obey Taliban dictates. In Kalaya village in August 2013, the Taliban attacked and kidnapped 230 Orakzai people. Elderly Orakzai, young men, women and children were arrested. Taliban tortured many, and martyred 80 innocent people. After one week the remaining people founded the Pakistan army's operation against the Talibs. Many people were injured. The Taliban entirely destroyed Kalaya village and Orakzai's business. People migrated to different places and different countries to save their lives. After a humiliating defeat in Waziristan, the Taliban fled to Orakzai Agency. Very soon the area saw intense violence and the Army commenced an unannounced offensive (Orakzai and Kurram offensive). The army cut the Taliban in the west from the Kurram Agency, in the south from Kohat and in the east from Bara and began an attack. Locals supported the army and soon the Taliban were forced to flee and evacuate the lower subdivision. Heavy casualties were also inflicted upon them in the upper subdivision, and their influence in the area was greatly reduced. This resulted in the mass evacuation of the IDPs towards Kohat and Hangu where they were given shelter in camps. The situation has defused greatly in Lower Orakzai division, but an army operation against Taliban militants continues in Central and Upper sub-divisions.[10]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b 1998 Census report of Orakzai Agency. Census publication. Vol. 143. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan.
  2. ^ a b c "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1" (PDF). www.pbscensus.gov.pk. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  3. ^ "11 militants killed in Pakistan's Orakzai agency". UPI. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  4. ^ Hussain, Syed Iftikhar; Marwat, Fazal-ur-Rahim (2009). "A New Look at Federally Administered Tribal Areas". Ancient Pakistan. 20: 123–136. ISSN 2708-4590.
  5. ^ "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  6. ^ "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 9" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  7. ^ "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 11" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  8. ^ "DISTRICT AND TEHSIL LEVEL POPULATION SUMMARY WITH REGION BREAKUP [PDF]" (PDF). www.pbscensus.gov.pk. 2018-01-03. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
  9. ^ "List of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers of the National Assembly Constituencies". Election Commission of Pakistan. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
  10. ^ Ali, Zulfiqar (2012-08-06). "South Waziristan operation: Only Sararogha cleared in three years". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
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