Paktika Province

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Coordinates: 32°30′N 68°48′E / 32.5, 68.8
Paktika (پکتیکا)
Province
Country Flag of Afghanistan Afghanistan
Capital Sharan
 - coordinates 32°30′N 68°48′E / 32.5, 68.8
Area 19,482 km² (7,522 sq mi)
Population 352,000 (2002) [1]
Timezone UTC+4:30
Main language Pashto
Map of Afghanistan with Paktika highlighted
Map of Afghanistan with Paktika highlighted

Paktika (Pashto: پکتیکا) is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the south-east of the country. Most of the population is conservative Sunni Pashtun people. Its capital is Sharan.

Contents

[edit] Political and military situation

As one of the most remote provinces in Afghanistan, and in an area that saw much devastation in previous years, Paktika suffers from a severe lack of critical infrastructure. Reconstruction in the province after the fall of the Taliban has been slow in comparison to that in nearby provinces such as Khost and Zabul. This is primarily due to the remoteness of the region and repeated attacks on aid workers. 21 November of 2004, members of the Utah and Iowa National Guard helped establish a Provincial Reconstruction Team base in Sharana, capital of the province, to lead the development effort.

While the province hasn't witnessed the outright fighting in the last few years that has affected provinces like Helmand, there is a constant low level of tribal violence accompanied by criminal and Taliban activity. The last serious fighting in the province took place in 2004, amid reports that then-Governor Muhammad Ali Jalali was collaborating with Taliban forces, and that the Taliban had effectively annexed eastern portions of the province. Jalali, and many of his allied officials, were replaced, U.S. Special Forces were dispatched to fight the Taliban while the Pakistan forces fought with the Taliban's allies in neighbouring South Waziristan [1].

On 1 November 2004, a civil affairs convoy was ambushed between Shkin firebase and Orgun-E. U.S. Army Spc. James Kearney, a turret gunner, died of a head shot from a sniper, which initiated the ambush. After countless RPGs, PKM rounds and an IED, two vehicles were destroyed and several injuries were sustained. The Provincial Reconstruction Team base was named Camp Kearney to honor the sacrifice of Spc. James Kearney.[citation needed]

[edit] Politicians

The current Governor of the province is Akram Khpalwak. In 2006, a previous Governor of the province, Muhammad Ali Jalali, was killed by Taliban millitants while driving in neighbouring Ghazni Province [2]. In 2004, Ghulabuddin Mangal was appointed Governor of Paktika Province replacing Muhammad Ali Jalali who left the governor's compound as ordered, but only after firing two rockets at it as a goodbye present.

[edit] History

Paktika was once part of a greater province Paktia, that has itself now further split into Khost province. The province was the site of many battles during the Soviet occupation of the country and the lawless years that followed.

[edit] Geography

Paktika is bordered on the north by Paktia Province and Khost Province on the east, as well as South Waziristan, a Pakistani-administered tribal area. The southern border is shared with Zabul Province, while Ghazni Province is on its western flank.

Like many areas of the country, Paktika has been heavily deforested. This has been one of the causes of devastating flooding in recent years [3].

[edit] Districts

Districts of Paktika.
Districts of Paktika.

[edit] Cities

Orgun is the main market town and biggest city, while Sharana is the capital.

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Provinces of Afghanistan

Badakhshan · Badghis · Baghlan · Balkh · Bamiyan · Daykundi · Farah · Faryab · Ghazni · Ghor · Helmand · Herat · Jowzjan · Kabul · Kandahar · Kapisa · Khost · Kunar · Kunduz · Laghman · Lowgar · Nangarhar · Nimruz · Nuristan · Oruzgan · Paktia · Paktika · Panjshir · Parwan · Samangan · Sar-e Pol · Takhar · Wardak · Zabul
Flag of Afghanistan
v • d • e
Districts of Paktika
Barmal • Dila • Gayan • Gomal • Mata Khan • Nika • Omna • Sar Hawza • Sarobi • Sharan • Urgun • Waza Khwa • Wor Mamay • Zarghun Shahr • Ziruk