BRIEF PROFILE OF CORRIDORS (CLUSTER AREAS)
Our assignment to prepare Agency development Plans covers Mohmand and Bajaur
agency with a special focus on seven (7) Corridors (cluster areas) that have been
identified by USAID. A brief profile of the corridors is given below based upon
discussions with CBP Agency Coordinators and other relevant sources to provide an
idea about the status and potential of the area to some extent.
MOHMAND AGENCY
The Mohmand Agency has a population of around 540,000 (13% of total FATA
population) and an area of 229,620 hectares (around 10% of the total FATA area). The
cultivated area is around 9% and water availability is an issue in most parts of the
Agency. The prominent sectors include Agriculture and Minerals; Chilies, wheat, and
vegetables are predominant products in Agriculture while Marble, Manganese, Quartz,
etc. in Minerals.
Khwezai Bezai Corridor
It has remained one of the no-go areas of the Agency that is close to the Afghan border.
The area may be termed as the most backward area of the Agency as far as social and
basic facilities are concerned. The Corridor can be comfortably divided in the Khwezai
and Bezai area; Khwezai is clear as far as security situation is concerned. The main
sources of Livelihood for the inhabitants are Agriculture, employment in other cities of
the country (especially small hotels and bread bakers (nanbais)), transport, and trading.
As far as trading is concerned, they are highly involved in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Sector
Trade
Details
Trading activity is reasonably dominant and around 40-50 truck loads
per day cross the border to Afghanistan using two crossings; Yaqubi
Kandao and Lwar Ghakhai. The major goods moving from Pakistan to
Afghanistan includes timber, poultry, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. and
the ones moving to Pakistan includes Electronic goods, fruit, dry
fruits, vehicles, vehicle parts, etc. Destinations for imported/smuggled
goods are Bajaur, Shabqadar, Peshawar, Charsadda, and Mardan. A
main roads runs through the corridor to Afghanistan
Agriculture
The Economic potential of the area is dominated by agriculture
because of plain lands but shortage of water persists in the whole
Agency. The major produce is Wheat, Maize and Vegetables. There
are marble reserves in the area of Spinki Tangi. Atta Jowar is the
major local market in the area.
Power
There is a potential of power generation/ irrigation in suitable locations
at River Kabul that flows alongside bordering area of the tehsil with
Afghanistan.
Minerals
Water
Safi – Larko Corridor
Sector
Trade
Details
Lakaro market is the major local market in the area that normally
comprises of a few shops but it has extra ordinary commercial activity
on Fridays. The market remained closed for few months but has
recently reopened.
Agriculture
The Economic potential of the area is dominated by agriculture but
there is acute shortage of water in the area. The major produce is
Wheat, Maize, Onions, Fruit Orchards and Vegetables. The Safi tehsil
is considered as the only tehsil producing surplus wheat that they
usually store for future instead of selling in the market.
Power
Minerals
There are huge marble reserves in the area, Ziarat Marble mine being
known as one of the largest reserve having the best quality of White
marble. The main source of Livelihood for the inhabitants is Marble
mining, employment in other cities of the country (especially spare
parts), Agriculture, and transport.
Water
Pandiali – Ambar Corridor
The main source of Livelihood for the inhabitants is Agriculture and Minerals.
Sector
Trade
Agriculture
Details
Power
There is a potential of power generation/ irrigation in suitable locations
at River Swat.
There are mineral reserves in the area containing Quartz and
Chromite.
Water availability and Water level is very low but there is a potential to
increase water level below ground by constructing dams based on
rain water. A dam ‘Nasapai dam’ was constructed in Pandiali but it
was fled away in the floods of 2008.
Minerals
Water
The Economic potential of the area is dominated by agriculture
producing Wheat, Chilies, Coriander, and Maize. The area is
considered a cluster of Chilies and Coriander; most of the produce is
directly transported to Rawlpindi and Peshawar.
BAJAUR AGENCY
The Bajaur Agency has a population of around 960,000 (23% of total FATA population)
making it the most populated agency. The total area of the agency is 129,035 hectares
(less than 6% of the total FATA area) with around 14% of the area cultivated. The
Agency has got an irrigation system in place making Agriculture as the main source of
livelihood followed by small businesses and jobs in the Agency or in the settled areas.
Nawegai Tehsil – Charmang Valley Corridor
The main source of Livelihood for the inhabitants is Marble mining, Livestock,
Agriculture, and employment in other cities of the country.
Sector
Trade
Agriculture
Power
Minerals
Water
Details
There is a potential to enhance Agriculture production through land
leveling in the area.
The area is known for its marble reserves and lots of people are
involved in mining sector. The raw material is mostly processed in the
marble units at Khar or units nearby at Peshawar.
A Stream (Khwar) of water flows through the tehsil in all seasons with
potential to be used for power generation and irrigation.
Khar Tehsil – Loi Sam Corridor
The main source of Livelihood for the inhabitants is Agriculture, trading, small
businesses, and jobs in public sector and levies.
Sector
Trade
Agriculture
Power
Minerals
Water
Details
The economic potential of the area is dominated by agriculture and
retail trading as Khar is business center of the Agency with two main
markets known as Khar Bazar and Raghagan bazaar.
The major produce is Wheat, Rice, Orchards (Citrus) and Vegetables.
There are marble units, a flour mill, and an oil mill at Khar Tehsil.
There is a potential of power generation/ irrigation in suitable locations
at the Khwars flowing through the area. The Power infrastructure of
the Agency is based at Khar mainly at Civil colony comprising of Grid
stations.
Mamund Tehsil – Damadola Corridor
The main source of Livelihood for the inhabitants is Agriculture and small businesses in
other cities.
Sector
Trade
Agriculture
Details
Power
There is a potential of power generation/ irrigation in suitable locations
at perennial streams (Khwars) running through the area.
The economic potential of the area is dominated by agriculture with
well established irrigation system. The major produce is Wheat,
Maize, Orchards and Vegetables. There is potential of precious and
semi precious stones and power generation.
Minerals
Water
Mamund Tehsil – Kitkot - Inayat Khel Corridor
Sector
Trade
Details
The Economic potential of the area is dominated by agriculture,
minerals, and trading as Inayat Kale market is one of the major
commercial center in the Agency. Kitkot connects the Agency with
Afghanistan through Nawey Pass though it is not extensively used for
trading activity and most of the goods find their way to Bajaur through
Mohmand Agency.
Agriculture
The main source of Livelihood for the inhabitants is Agriculture and
small businesses in settled areas.
Power
Minerals
Water