Allai Tehsil

:"For the Italian commune, see Allai (OR)."Allai is an administrative subdivision of Batagram District in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan - that also contains the Allai Valley.

History

The valley was ruled by Khans (tribal rulers) until 1949, when it signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan. In 1971 Allai was merged into Pakistan as an administrative part of the Battagram sub-division. In 1993 Battagram was upgraded to the status of a district and Allai become one of the sub-divisions of Battagram district.

2005 Earthquake

The Allai valley was badly affected by the Pakistan Earthquake on October 8 2005 which also destroyed the 'cable way' which allowed residents to cross the Indus River. [ [http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/earthquake?page=news&id=43f35f554 Restoring the "high way" home to the Allai Valley, northern Pakistan - UNHCR] ]

Administration

Allai is one of the two tehsils, or subdivisions, of Battagram District, Allai contains 8 Union Councils: [ [http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=72&dn=Battagram Tehsils & Unions in the District of Battagram - Government of Pakistan] ]
* Banna
* Bateela
* Batkul
* Biari
* Jambera
* Pashto
* Rashang
* Sakargah

Location

The Allai valley is bounded by Kohistan on the north and east, by the Kaghan valley, Nandhiar and Deshi of Deshiwals on the south, and by the Indus river on the west. The valley of Allai is divided from Kohistan on the north by a range of mountains rising to over 15,000 feet, and from Nandhiar and Deshi by another range running from the Afghanistan border to the Indus above Thakot. The average breadth of the Allai Valley is about fifteen miles, and the total area 200 square miles. Wheat, barley, corn and rice are grown, and the mountain slopes at the eastern end covered with forest. Cis-Indus Swatis are the dominant tribes of the Allai range. Khan culture is dominant in the Allai valley.

People

The area is mainly inhabited by two Pathan tribes, the Swati and the Stanadar, the Swati have a higher social status in the valley. The Swati tribe originate from the Swat Valley.

Other tribes in the valley are Gujjar, Kohistani and Kammis (artisans). They are mostly landless but have use (subsistence) rights to forest resources. The local Jirga, consisting of local elders and religious leaders, is a well-established institution for conflict resolution. It has no permanent membership but is constituted when needed to mediate inter and intra-community disputes. The Jirga substantially reduces official courts litigations.

References

External links

* http://allai.justfree.com