1947 to 1973: History of Bajaur in Pakistan

History of BAJAUR and Pakistan - 1947 to 1973

After the partition of British India in 1947, Bajaur, along with the neighbouring princely states of Dir and Swat, entered into a loose accession arrangement with Pakistan but remained practically independent. The Nawab of Khar continued to rule Bajaur almost autonomously. However, soon after the creation of Pakistan, propagators of the so-called “Pukhtoonistan” started infiltrating the masses of Bajaur.

The idea, although heavily funded by the Afghan government, failed to lure the Bajauri tribesmen into switching their allegiance in favour of Kabul.

Seeing the failure of the propaganda effort, in 1960, The Afghan-affiliate militias started sporadic attacks on border areas of Bajaur. The skirmishes between Bajauri tribesmen and Afghan militias went on for months. Growing impatient with the resistance, however, the Kabul rulers sent the regular Afghan army to launch a full-scale assault on Bajaur.Unable to counter the Afghan military’s might, the Nawab of Khar asked for Pakistan’s military support. Pakistan responded positively, its troops entered Bajaur and confronted the Afghan army forcing it to retreat.

After the Afghan military retreat, Pakistan decided to station its troops permanently in Bajaur. Though the tribesmen resisted this decision but Pakistan’s military superiority silenced the resistance soon. Paramilitary troops were stationed at various strategic hilltops in purpose-built military forts. Bajaur was declared a subdivision of Malakand Agency and the then Nawab of Khar, Abdul Subhan Khan, was elected on Bajaur’s seat as Member to Pakistan’s Parliament. An Assistant Political Agent (APA) was appointed for running the area’s affairs. Initially the APA and his administration were stationed in Munda, Dir. In later years the administration setup was gradually shifted to Khar.
In 1973, Bajaur was given the status of an Agency with its Headquarters at Khar.

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"Bajaur Guloona".