Over 200 emergency doctors and medical officers appointed by the government to improve patient care in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have not received their salaries for four months due to lack of funds.&nbsp;The officials revealed that the salary got delayed because of the unavailability of funds, long process of appointments and verification by boards of Khyber Medical University and Pakistan Medical Commission, said a Dawn report.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/daya-bheel-hindu-woman-in-pakistan-raped-beheaded-india-seeks-answers-547824">Also read |&nbsp;Daya Bheel: Hindu woman in Pakistan raped and beheaded; India seeks answers</a>

Complaining about the situation, women officers said that they are the most affected ones as their families depend on them. They said that they chose the job due to better salary despite security concerns but are not getting paid now.&nbsp;

The officers told Dawn that the medics were hired in April 2021 under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) to take care of district areas. They said that the government sanctioned 300 positions for medical officers with a monthly package of Rs 200,000 ($2,418).&nbsp;

Officials added that against 300 posts, only 283 appointments were made but many doctors either resigned or were terminated over legal reasons bringing the tally down to 172.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/balochistans-anti-cpec-protests-intensify-amid-attacks-on-pakistani-troops-547622">Also read |&nbsp;Balochistan's anti-CPEC protests intensify amid attacks on Pakistani troops</a>

The government again&nbsp;announced over 200 vacancies of emergency medical officers with a monthly salary of Rs 300,000 but couldn't find candidates, so only 36 appointments were made.&nbsp;Similarly, they said that the government announced 100 posts of medical specialists with a monthly package of Rs 450,000 but could fill&nbsp;18 only.&nbsp;

The officer said that due to such initiatives medical facilities and care in tribal areas of the south Asian country have improved but are not working any more due to delayed salaries.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Over 200 emergency doctors and medical officers appointed by the government to improve patient care in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have not received their salaries for four months due to lack of funds.

Over 200 emergency doctors and medical officers appointed by the government to improve patient care in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have not received their salaries for four months due to lack of funds. The officials revealed that the salary got delayed because of the unavailability of funds, long process of appointments and verification by boards of Khyber Medical University and Pakistan Medical Commission, said a Dawn report. Also read | Daya Bheel: Hindu woman in Pakistan raped and beheaded; India seeks answers Complaining about the situation, women officers said that they are the most affected ones as their families depend on them. They said that they chose the job due to better salary despite security concerns but are not getting paid now. The officers told Dawn that the medics were hired in April 2021 under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) to take care of district areas. They said that the government sanctioned 300 positions for medical officers with a monthly package of Rs 200,000 ($2,418). Officials added that against 300 posts, only 283 appointments were made but many doctors either resigned or were terminated over legal reasons bringing the tally down to 172. Also read | Balochistan's anti-CPEC protests intensify amid attacks on Pakistani troops The government again announced over 200 vacancies of emergency medical officers with a monthly salary of Rs 300,000 but couldn't find candidates, so only 36 appointments were made. Similarly, they said that the government announced 100 posts of medical specialists with a monthly package of Rs 450,000 but could fill 18 only. The officer said that due to such initiatives medical facilities and care in tribal areas of the south Asian country have improved but are not working any more due to delayed salaries. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Around 200 Pak doctors in FATA not paid salaries since four months due to paucity of funds

Despite the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-islamabad-high-court-rejects-plea-to-drop-terrorism-charges-against-pervez-musharraf-254918">Pakistan</a> government's claim of its successes in the tribal regions, the former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-erstwhile-federally-administered-tribal-area-to-witness-first-election-237240">Federally Administered Tribal Areas</a> (FATA) remain the prime hideout of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has announced its resurgence in the area through IED blasts and warnings which directly threaten women and children.

While Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 led to the decline of the terror outfit, in recent times, reports related to the TTP have resurfaced, according to Kunwar Khuldune Shahid for The Diplomat.

Shahid quoted various examples of TTP operatives who have been arrested from various populous cities in Pakistan, including Faisalabad and Gujranwala recently.

Not only has the TTP targeted checkpoints in the tribal regions with IED blasts, but it had also sent out a chilling warning in August, barring the residents in Miranshah from listening to music, demanding a ban on women stepping out without a male accomplice and a ban on polio vaccinations.

"We remind you [residents] that similar statements issued by<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-vows-to-continue-attack-on-us-troop-until-peace-deal-is-sealed-254214"> Taliban</a> several times in the past had fallen on deaf ears, but this time we are going to take to task those who violate the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/enemy-fabricated-propaganda-says-taliban-as-it-denies-killing-of-south-asia-region-al-qaeda-chief-asim-umar-in-afghanistan-254669">Taliban</a> order," Shahid quoted the message issued by TTP as saying.

"There will be no use of DJs, neither inside the house nor in open fields and those ignoring the warning will be responsible for consequences," it added.

The terror outfit has also warned health workers against administering polio drops to children. This spells bad news for Pakistan which has seen a resurgence of the poliovirus, with at least 72 people being diagnosed with the infectious disease this year alone, as per local media reports.

The TTP rebound comes despite the military operations by Pakistan which have been highly criticised. The regional resentment against the military has been embodied by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) -- a political party -- which sheds light on the shortcomings of the military offences and brings to the front issues which continue to plague the locals, including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state.

The PTM, led by Manzoor Pashteen, contested the polls held in tribal regions on July 20. Widespread claims of the polling process being influenced by Islamabad were bolstered after two PTM leaders were arrested in the run-up to the polling.

According to Shahid, the arrests were "emblematic of the double-edged sword that military operations in the tribal areas present".

"Despite the reduction in terror incidents, the manner in which the military operations have been carried out in the region has invited criticism from various political leaders, activists, and others," Shahid wrote.

The writer also claimed that despite Pakistan's claims of the reduction in terror attacks in tribal regions, the fact that the military operations have led to the displacement of over a million people from the former FATA is not recognised. No action has been taken over it either.

"As the state looks to silence criticism of its military operations in the tribal areas, the TTP appears to have resurfaced in North Waziristan. Observers find a strategic connection between the TTP`s return to the limelight and the state`s plans for the tribal areas," Shahid wrote.

Quoting Ayesha Siddiqa, the author of `Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan`s Military Economy`, Shahid pointed out that the PTM was trying to bring attention to the connection between the Pakistan military and TTP.

"There is nothing odd about [the TTP resurfacing in the tribal areas] because that`s a relationship that [the] Pakistan military has always had. The PTM was constantly trying to draw attention towards this," Siddiqa wrote, as per Shahid.

"The Taliban are there because the Army has allowed it. I fear the day Americans leave the Taliban in charge of Afghanistan. Pakistan will suffer the most," she added.

"They continue to get the needed strategic support. Yes, the PTM challenged the strategic space and status of the tribal areas, and [as a result] the TTP was pushed back. [Yet] the area continues to be a space for all proxy wars like Afghanistan and in future maybe Kashmir," said tribal activist and blogger Mona Aurangzeb, according to Shahid.

"As we can see from the development in regional politics [that] the American good guys are now the Taliban. The TTP will be instrumental in future Afghan settlement too," Aurangzeb added.

A senior military personnel believes that the TTP`s rise has been influenced by the Afghan Taliban, Shahid wrote.

"The TTP is targeting Pakistani Army personnel in the tribal areas. They are being bolstered by the Afghan Taliban, who want to show their power in territories on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to influence the current negotiations with the US," he quoted a senior Army official posted in the tribal areas as saying.

"Also, the Islamist State`s presence in the region is largely made up of former Pakistan Taliban splinter groups. By propping up the TTP, the Afghan Taliban want to weaken [ISIS] as well, and tell Washington that they are the only group that needs to be kept in mind while discussing the future for Afghanistan," the official also said.

The sentiment is echoed by Lieutenant-General Talat Masood, the former secretary of Pakistan`s Ministry of Defense Production.&nbsp;

According to Masood, the "TTP leadership is based in Afghanistan and enjoys the `direct or indirect` patronage of the Afghan Taliban," Shahid further added.

"The Pakistani Taliban are enjoying support and security in Afghanistan. The TTP will increase its presence in the tribal areas -- which they are literally governing -- and will target other areas of Pakistan as well," Masood stated.

The Lieutenant-General added that it`s not in the interests of Pakistan to support the Afghan Taliban.

"They shouldn`t let the Afghan Taliban become a dominant presence in Afghanistan, because that will have serious ramifications for Pakistan. [The TTP`s reemergence] is evidence of that," Shahid quoted Masood as saying.

Despite the Pakistan government's claim of its successes in the tribal regions, the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) remain the prime hideout of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has announced its resurgence in the area through IED blasts and warnings which directly threaten women and children.

Despite the Pakistan government's claim of its successes in the tribal regions, the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) remain the prime hideout of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has announced its resurgence in the area through IED blasts and warnings which directly threaten women and children. While Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 led to the decline of the terror outfit, in recent times, reports related to the TTP have resurfaced, according to Kunwar Khuldune Shahid for The Diplomat. Shahid quoted various examples of TTP operatives who have been arrested from various populous cities in Pakistan, including Faisalabad and Gujranwala recently. Not only has the TTP targeted checkpoints in the tribal regions with IED blasts, but it had also sent out a chilling warning in August, barring the residents in Miranshah from listening to music, demanding a ban on women stepping out without a male accomplice and a ban on polio vaccinations. "We remind you [residents] that similar statements issued by Taliban several times in the past had fallen on deaf ears, but this time we are going to take to task those who violate the Taliban order," Shahid quoted the message issued by TTP as saying. "There will be no use of DJs, neither inside the house nor in open fields and those ignoring the warning will be responsible for consequences," it added. The terror outfit has also warned health workers against administering polio drops to children. This spells bad news for Pakistan which has seen a resurgence of the poliovirus, with at least 72 people being diagnosed with the infectious disease this year alone, as per local media reports. The TTP rebound comes despite the military operations by Pakistan which have been highly criticised. The regional resentment against the military has been embodied by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) -- a political party -- which sheds light on the shortcomings of the military offences and brings to the front issues which continue to plague the locals, including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. The PTM, led by Manzoor Pashteen, contested the polls held in tribal regions on July 20. Widespread claims of the polling process being influenced by Islamabad were bolstered after two PTM leaders were arrested in the run-up to the polling. According to Shahid, the arrests were "emblematic of the double-edged sword that military operations in the tribal areas present". "Despite the reduction in terror incidents, the manner in which the military operations have been carried out in the region has invited criticism from various political leaders, activists, and others," Shahid wrote. The writer also claimed that despite Pakistan's claims of the reduction in terror attacks in tribal regions, the fact that the military operations have led to the displacement of over a million people from the former FATA is not recognised. No action has been taken over it either. "As the state looks to silence criticism of its military operations in the tribal areas, the TTP appears to have resurfaced in North Waziristan. Observers find a strategic connection between the TTP`s return to the limelight and the state`s plans for the tribal areas," Shahid wrote. Quoting Ayesha Siddiqa, the author of `Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan`s Military Economy`, Shahid pointed out that the PTM was trying to bring attention to the connection between the Pakistan military and TTP. "There is nothing odd about [the TTP resurfacing in the tribal areas] because that`s a relationship that [the] Pakistan military has always had. The PTM was constantly trying to draw attention towards this," Siddiqa wrote, as per Shahid. "The Taliban are there because the Army has allowed it. I fear the day Americans leave the Taliban in charge of Afghanistan. Pakistan will suffer the most," she added. "They continue to get the needed strategic support. Yes, the PTM challenged the strategic space and status of the tribal areas, and [as a result] the TTP was pushed back. [Yet] the area continues to be a space for all proxy wars like Afghanistan and in future maybe Kashmir," said tribal activist and blogger Mona Aurangzeb, according to Shahid. "As we can see from the development in regional politics [that] the American good guys are now the Taliban. The TTP will be instrumental in future Afghan settlement too," Aurangzeb added. A senior military personnel believes that the TTP`s rise has been influenced by the Afghan Taliban, Shahid wrote. "The TTP is targeting Pakistani Army personnel in the tribal areas. They are being bolstered by the Afghan Taliban, who want to show their power in territories on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to influence the current negotiations with the US," he quoted a senior Army official posted in the tribal areas as saying. "Also, the Islamist State`s presence in the region is largely made up of former Pakistan Taliban splinter groups. By propping up the TTP, the Afghan Taliban want to weaken [ISIS] as well, and tell Washington that they are the only group that needs to be kept in mind while discussing the future for Afghanistan," the official also said. The sentiment is echoed by Lieutenant-General Talat Masood, the former secretary of Pakistan`s Ministry of Defense Production. According to Masood, the "TTP leadership is based in Afghanistan and enjoys the `direct or indirect` patronage of the Afghan Taliban," Shahid further added. "The Pakistani Taliban are enjoying support and security in Afghanistan. The TTP will increase its presence in the tribal areas -- which they are literally governing -- and will target other areas of Pakistan as well," Masood stated. The Lieutenant-General added that it`s not in the interests of Pakistan to support the Afghan Taliban. "They shouldn`t let the Afghan Taliban become a dominant presence in Afghanistan, because that will have serious ramifications for Pakistan. [The TTP`s reemergence] is evidence of that," Shahid quoted Masood as saying.

With threats to women and children, Pakistani Taliban resurfaces

Pakistan's Senate on Friday endorsed a Constitutional amendment seeking to merge the restive tribal region along the Afghanistan border with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in the northwest, a day after the historic move was overwhelmingly passed by the National Assembly.

The 31st constitutional amendment bill was moved in the 104-member Senate by Law Minister Bashir Virk to merge Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after months of delays following disagreements between coalition partners and the opposition over its clauses.

The amendment was passed with a 229-1 vote in the National Assembly yesterday, bringing an end to 150-year-old British-era arrangement.

The bill which needed 69 votes was supported by 71 Senators while only five members opposed it. The opposition came from Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).

Another party which opposed was Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). It boycotted the voting on the bill by staging a walk out.

The bill will now be presented in the assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province as it aims to change the territory of the province by merger of tribal region into it.

According to the Constitution, any change in the territory of a province must be passed with two-thirds majority by the assembly of the respective province.

It is a race against time as provincial assembly will complete its tenure on May 28 and the bill should be presented and passed before that.

Since Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which supported the bill in the national parliament, is in majority in the province and also has support of other parties, the merger law is expected to be passed easily.

Finally, the president will sign the bill passed by the federal parliament and provincial legislature to become part of the law.

The semi-autonomous tribal region was created by British government as a buffer between India and Afghanistan.

&nbspThe tribal areas currently consist of seven districts which stretch along the border with Afghanistan, and became known to the world due to presence of militants who fled the porous border after the US forces invaded Afghanistan after 9/11 attack.

Pakistan forces launched repeated military operation to clear the areas of rebels and dismantle their hideouts which were used to launch attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The 31st constitutional amendment bill was moved in the 104-member Senate by Law Minister Bashir Virk to merge Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after months of delays following disagreements between coalition partners and the opposition over its clauses

Pakistan's Senate on Friday endorsed a Constitutional amendment seeking to merge the restive tribal region along the Afghanistan border with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in the northwest, a day after the historic move was overwhelmingly passed by the National Assembly. The 31st constitutional amendment bill was moved in the 104-member Senate by Law Minister Bashir Virk to merge Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after months of delays following disagreements between coalition partners and the opposition over its clauses. The amendment was passed with a 229-1 vote in the National Assembly yesterday, bringing an end to 150-year-old British-era arrangement. The bill which needed 69 votes was supported by 71 Senators while only five members opposed it. The opposition came from Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP). Another party which opposed was Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). It boycotted the voting on the bill by staging a walk out. The bill will now be presented in the assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province as it aims to change the territory of the province by merger of tribal region into it. According to the Constitution, any change in the territory of a province must be passed with two-thirds majority by the assembly of the respective province. It is a race against time as provincial assembly will complete its tenure on May 28 and the bill should be presented and passed before that. Since Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which supported the bill in the national parliament, is in majority in the province and also has support of other parties, the merger law is expected to be passed easily. Finally, the president will sign the bill passed by the federal parliament and provincial legislature to become part of the law. The semi-autonomous tribal region was created by British government as a buffer between India and Afghanistan. &nbspThe tribal areas currently consist of seven districts which stretch along the border with Afghanistan, and became known to the world due to presence of militants who fled the porous border after the US forces invaded Afghanistan after 9/11 attack. Pakistan forces launched repeated military operation to clear the areas of rebels and dismantle their hideouts which were used to launch attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Senate votes to merge FATA with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

A protest was organised by over one lakh Pashtuns in Pakistan's Peshawar region on Sunday.

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The protest rally held against the Pakistan government and the security forces demanded an intervention of International community in the conflicted Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The protesters also demanded the release of suspects arrested by authorities over alleged links to militants.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-pakistan-protests-across-pok-to-mark-1947-invasion-22724">Anti-Pakistan protests across PoK to mark 1947 invasion</a>

Shouting slogans against the security forces the people demanded to clear mines planted in their areas.

Anti Pak protests are frequently staged in various parts of Pakistan including PoK and Balochistan.

Such protests are also organised by International community in Geneva, London and New York.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baloch-republican-party-holds-anti-pakistan-protest-in-geneva-35082">Baloch Republican Party holds </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baloch-republican-party-holds-anti-pakistan-protest-in-geneva-35082">anti-Pakistan</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baloch-republican-party-holds-anti-pakistan-protest-in-geneva-35082"> protest in Geneva</a>

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Over 100,000 Pashtuns held a rally in Peshawar against Pakistan govt earlier today. The protesters demanded international community to intervene in the war crimes in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). <a href="https://t.co/W8eUIu8z38">pic.twitter.com/W8eUIu8z38</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/983005191225184257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The protest rally held against the Pakistan government and the security forces demanded an intervention of International community in the conflicted Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)

A protest was organised by over one lakh Pashtuns in Pakistan's Peshawar region on Sunday. × The protest rally held against the Pakistan government and the security forces demanded an intervention of International community in the conflicted Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The protesters also demanded the release of suspects arrested by authorities over alleged links to militants. Also read: Anti-Pakistan protests across PoK to mark 1947 invasion Shouting slogans against the security forces the people demanded to clear mines planted in their areas. Anti Pak protests are frequently staged in various parts of Pakistan including PoK and Balochistan. Such protests are also organised by International community in Geneva, London and New York. Also read: Baloch Republican Party holds anti-Pakistan protest in Geneva Over 100,000 Pashtuns held a rally in Peshawar against Pakistan govt earlier today. The protesters demanded international community to intervene in the war crimes in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). pic.twitter.com/W8eUIu8z38 — ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2018 ×

Pashtuns protest against Pak government, demand international intervention in FATA

Pakistan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-could-convince-pakistan-to-dismantle-terror-safe-havens-senior-white-house-official-28784">Institute for Peace Studies, a think-tank</a> in its report said IS footprint in the region has been increasing with 153 people killed in 6 attacks last year.

The Islamabad-based <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-government-blacklists-hafiz-saeeds-jamaat-ud-dawa-jud-falah-e-insaniat-foundation-fif-28726">think-tank in its report said</a> Tehreek-e-Taliban and its associated groups remain a &quot;potent threat&quot;, the report said, adding that nationalist-insurgent groups - Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were also key organizations against Pakistan.

The report said there was an &quot;alarming rise&quot; in IS footprints in Balochistan and northern Sindh.

The think-tank noted that there were 370 terrorist attacks in 64 districts in Pakistan last year by militant, nationalist and insurgent groups. &nbsp;Although it declined 16 per cent from the previous year.

The report also said 131 per cent increase in cross-border attacks in Pakistan&#39;s border with India, Afghanistan and Iran with 171 incidents reported.

The think-tank said Pakistan security forces killed 524 militants during various encounters.&nbsp;

Balochistan and FATA, mainly Khurram Agency, remained critical areas with 288 and 253 terrorism-related killings in 2017.

The report said there was an "alarming rise" in IS footprints in Balochistan and northern Sindh.

Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, a think-tank in its report said IS footprint in the region has been increasing with 153 people killed in 6 attacks last year. The Islamabad-based think-tank in its report said Tehreek-e-Taliban and its associated groups remain a "potent threat", the report said, adding that nationalist-insurgent groups - Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were also key organizations against Pakistan. The report said there was an "alarming rise" in IS footprints in Balochistan and northern Sindh. The think-tank noted that there were 370 terrorist attacks in 64 districts in Pakistan last year by militant, nationalist and insurgent groups. Although it declined 16 per cent from the previous year. The report also said 131 per cent increase in cross-border attacks in Pakistan's border with India, Afghanistan and Iran with 171 incidents reported. The think-tank said Pakistan security forces killed 524 militants during various encounters. Balochistan and FATA, mainly Khurram Agency, remained critical areas with 288 and 253 terrorism-related killings in 2017.

IS footprint increasing in Pak, Tehreek-e-Taliban remains 'potent threat', claims Report

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