Halimzai

The Halimzai are the largest sub-tribe or clan of the Mohmand Pashtun tribe. They live primarily in the Mohmand Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and also in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Part of their territory includes the historic Gandab valley that runs north west from Pir Killa (charsadda), a village on the Michni Shabqadar road, 32 km north of Peshawar.^[1]

History

Along with the rest of the Mohmand, the Halimzai migrated to their current territory from central Afghanistan between the 13th and 15th centuries.^[1]

During the period of British rule they were self-governing.^[1]

Halimzai subsections

Hamza Khel "Durba Khel, Babi Khel, Sultan Khel, Baro Khel, Ghazi khel" Wali Baig " Shati Khel, Rasool Khel" Upper Kadai, "Hameed Khan Qilla" Lower Kadai "Ghallanai" ^[2]

Governance

On 2 February 2009, a fifty-member Jirga of the Mohmand assured the government of its support against militancy and pledged to fulfil their consequent territorial responsibilities.^[3] In the past they have: handed over heavy weapons originating in Afghanistan, agreed to not to afford sanctuary to foreigners^[4] and agreed to co-operate with the government in acting against those who damage public property.^[5] These agreements are enforced within their territory by taking internal action, with punishments that include fines, demolition of property and expulsions from the Agency.

Tribal elders from both the Halimzai and the Safi have co-operated to avoid tensions between their respective communities and to control activities seen as objectionable to Pashtun society.

References