FATA University Darra Adamkhel, FATA, Pakistan

A university proposed to be established in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan is nearly to materialize in the near future. The approval of the university came when Ex-President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari signed / approved the FATA University Regulation 2013 on May 20th, 2013. However, there are political motives (of the representatives of the area) involved for gaining credit for establishment of the said university, which have caused great hindrance even in the nomination of a mutually consented candidate as a Vice Chancellor for the university. Twice the appointments of two different candidates as Vice Chancellors were rolled back by the Government. But the encouraging factor is that funds have been earmarked for the project (installation of the necessary infrastructure) and a late but mutual consensus has been reached that the university will be situated at Akhurwal in Darra Adamkhel (adjacent to Peshawar). An area of 266 Kanals of land has been acquired for the said purpose. 

The idea of FATA University began when the Prime Minister of Pakistan issued a directive to the relevant authorities back in 2008 regarding developing a framework for establishment of the university. Once the Higher Education Commission in 2010, even had declared that the classes of the university would be started within a month in a temporary campus. But, the poor law and order situation and diverting of funds for the fight against terrorism (from the Public Sector Development Programs) in the area has been the primary cause of such directives and agreements not being materialized. 

Affiliation of FATA Colleges

The FATA University would affiliate all the colleges in FATA which are 37 in number, presently all of which are affiliated with the University of Peshawar. About 100,000 students are enrolled in these colleges but the menace of terrorism has caused a disappointing proportion of attendance compared to the enrolled strength. The establishing of universities in deprived areas of Pakistan like FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan is the need of the day because education will vitally help fight the mentality of militancy and enlighten the youth to play better roles for a collective bright societal future. Lets hope for the best that the project is materialized as soon as possible.