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Paktika Data - Content

Paktika Province

Governor: Ilyas Wahdat

Population Estimate: 551,987

Area in Square Kilometers: 19,482

Districts: Barmal, Dila, Gayan, Gomal, Mata Khan, Nika, Omna, Sar Hawza, Sarobi, Sharan, Terwa, Urgun, Waza Khwa, Wor Momay, Zargyn Shahr, Ziruk.1

Ethnic Groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Arab, Pashai.

Tribal Groups: Pashtun.

Religious Groups: Majority Sunni Muslim.

# of Mosques: 2,055.

Crops/Livestock: Wheat, Corn, Spinach, Rice, Orchards, Sheep, Cows, Goats.

Literacy Rate: 40-44%

Total # of Educational Institutions: 151

Transportation: There are no high-quality highways in the province. The primary provincial roads are mostly paved; exist between Ghazni-Sharan-Monari, one connects to Khost and two connect to Ghazni. Other roads are secondary roads and tracks.

Hospitals: 3

Clinics: 49

Sources/Availability of Drinking Water: Springs, Wells, Karezes.

Rivers/Bodies of Water: Gardez Lake in Sharan District, Gowmal Rowd River in the south.

Topographical Features: Shinkay Hills run through the center of Paktika; Toba Kakar Range runs along the border with Pakistan. Southern districts are intermittently irrigated and cultivated; the center and north are used primarily for rangeland; there are natural forests in Ziruk, Nika, Gayan, and Barmal districts.2

Tribal Map - Thumbnail
Tribal Map Thumbnail
Paktika - Content

Paktika Provincial Overview

Paktika Province is located in eastern Afghanistan, on the Afghanistan - Pakistan border. Paktika is bordered in the north by Ghazni, Paktia, and Khost provinces, in the east and south by Pakistan, and the west by Ghazni and Zabul provinces. The Shinkay Hills run through the center of Paktika; Toba Kakar Range runs along the border with Pakistan.  The Southern districts are intermittently irrigated and cultivated, the center and north are used primarily for rangeland. There are natural forests in Ziruk, Nika, Gayan, and Bermal districts.

The population of approximately 369,000 is composed primarily of Pashtun, Tajik, Arab, Pashai, and other various minority groups. There are over 1200 provincial aid projects in Paktika with an expected cost of over US $10 million.

The current governor of Paktika is Ilyas Wahdat, an ethnic Pashtun. Wahdat was appointed in June 2016 as governor, replacing Aminullah Shariq. Whadat was a resident of Khost province and had previously worked as a reporter.6

Taliban Shadow Governor: Ajab Khan (aka Bilal) - died June 2015. Bilal is the last known Taliban shadow governor in Paktika. He was killed during a military operation in June 2015.7

 

Paktika Map

 

Human Terrain

Suleimankhel

They are Ghilzai Pashtuns; largest of the tribal clans in Paktika, residing in all of the eastern districts of the province, from Wor Momay up to Sharan district.  Suleimankhel coexist with their traditional rivals the Kharoti in the Gomal district.  Principal sub-divisions of the Suleimankhel include the Alizai, Sulemanzai, and Jalalzai.  Other sub-divisions include the Alikhel who are primarily located in Yaya Khel, Yusuf Khel, and Jani Khel districts, and the Nizamkhel and Shakhel in the Jani Khel.  According to former provincial Governor Ghulab Mangal, the Suleimankhel provide the majority of recruits for the Taliban in the province.  As a result, the level of anti-coalition militia activities remains high in areas dominated by Suleimankhel.  The Alizai, Suleimanzai and Jalalzai remain pro-Taliban and anti-coalition.  The bias of these sub-tribes toward the Taliban in part may be explained by their proximity to the Pakistan border and the influx of insurgents and radical politics.  It is interesting to note that the Alikhel sub-tribe, which primarily lives in the northwest portion of the province, has been more cooperative with the central government and coalition forces.  The Nizamkhel and Shakhel also remain more supportive of the government, which may be explained in part by their rivalry with the Jalalzai.3 View the Suleimankhel Tribal Tree

Kharoti

The Kharoti clan are the second largest Ghilzai Pashtun tribal groups in Paktika, located primarily in the Sar Hawza, Charbaran, Sarobi, and Gomal districts.  Notable members of the Kharoti clan include Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Harakat, both of Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HIG).

Waziri

Pashtun tribe, primarily located in Pakistan.  The Waziris in Paktika live in the Bermal district across from the Waziris on the Pakistan side of the border.

Zadran

Pashtun tribe which resides in the Nika, Ziruk, Gayan, and Urgun districts of Paktika and extend north into Paktia.  Pacha Khan Zadran, is one of the most famous of the Zadran tribe.  Jalaluddin Haqqani, another ACM leader (the Haqqani Network), is another influential member of the Zadran tribe.  The Zadran also live in Khost province.4

Andar

Pashtun tribe located in the Mata Khan District.

 

Primary Political Parties

Hezb-e Islami Khalis (HiK)

Originally a mujahideen group which broke away from Hekmatyar’s Hezb-e Islami under the leadership of Yunus Khalis.  HiK was dominant in Nangarhar. Khalis died in 2005 or 2006, resulting in an internal power struggle for control of the party between Khalis’ son Anwarul Haq Mujahid and Haji Din Mohammad.  It appears that Mohammad was successful in consolidating his control over much of the party.  Recent and active political players in Nangarhar have connections to HiK.  Led by Haji Din Mohammad, current governor of Kabul.

Hezb-e Afghan Millat (Afghan Nation Party)

National Pashtun party, led by Finance Minister Dr. Anwar Ul-haq Ahadi.  Over 10,000 members in Nangarhar.  Platform based on unity, security, and creating an Islamic version of democracy.  Maintains a muted, ethno-nationalist rhetoric.

Nazhat-e Hambastagi Milli (National Solidarity Movement/National Islamic Front)

Led by Pir Ishaq Gailani.  Party promotes national unity, security and a national development plan.  Tied to the Maraboutic Sufi order; has considerable influence over the Khugiani tribesmen.

Hezb-e Afghanistan Naween (New Afghanistan Party/Qanuni)

Led by Mohammad Yunus Qanuni.  Part of a political alliance called Jabahai Tafahim Millie or National Understanding Front.  Qanuni was the primary contender against Karzai for the presidency.  He is a Tajik who has been a mujahideen, spokesman for Ahmed Shah Masoud, and Minister of Interior and Education.  He was elected to parliament in 2005 and was chosen to lead the Wolesi Jirga.  Support for him and his party may be a political counter-weight to Karzai.

Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HiG)

Mujahideen party active since the Soviet invasion; led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar who is a Kharoti Ghilzai.  Actively opposed to US-led and Afghan national forces.  Politically active in Sherzad, Surk Rod and Pachir Wa districts.  Hekmatyar is a Kharoti Ghilzai and, therefore, less influential than the much more respected and powerful Khugianis, such as Haji Din Mohammad and Anwarul Haq Mohammad.  Harakat, the second most influential member of HiG, is also a Kharoti Ghilzai as well.5

 

Back to Eastern Afghanistan

 

References - Menu

1 The exact number of districts in Paktika is unclear. Some credible maps indicate that existing districts have split into other districts.

2 AIMS, Afghanistan Paktika Province Land Cover Map, April 2002; Nelles Verlag, Afghanistan, 2006.

3 US Department of State Gardez Provincial Reconstruction Team Political Officer Reporting, 2004
4 Ibid
5 Chris Mason, Tora Bora Nizami Mahaz.

6 Pahjwok, at Link.

7 Khama, at Link.

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Material contained herein is made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.  Most of the content available on this website was updated as of March 2017.