Federally Administered Tribal Areas

	WARNING: Travel through the tribal areas is advised against by most governments including Pakistan's. Pakistan authorities have little control over these areas, and almost no ability to come to your aid in an emergency. Kidnapping can be a risk in many parts of the region, and it's widely believed to be used as a hideout for the Taliban and Al Qaeda. See "Stay safe" for more details

Federally Administerd Tribal Areas (Urdu: قبائلی علاقہ جات) is a region in Pakistan.

Regions

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas official consist of two types of areas i.e. Agencies (tribal districts) and Frontier Regions (FRs). In the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, there are seven Tribal Agencies and six Frontier Regions. Agencies are further divided into subdivisions, and tehsils.

Divisions of Federally Administered Tribal Areas

Agencies (Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan)

Frontier Regions (Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Peshawar, Tank)

Cities

• Landi Kotal

• Darra Adam Khel

Other destinations

• Khyber Pass

Understand

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Pakistan are areas of Pakistan outside the four provinces, comprising a region of some 27,220 km² (10,507 mi²). Miran Shah is the tribal capital. There are seven areas known as Agencies and six areas known as Frontier Regions.

• Bajaur Agency
• Khyber Agency
• Kurram Agency
• Mohmand Agency
• Orakzai Agency
• North Waziristan Agency
• South Waziristan Agency

Talk

Pashtu is the predominant language in the region, though many people also speak Urdu.

Stay safe

The Pakistani Army is currently carrying out an offensive against TTP and other militants in this area. This activity has caused the displacement of over two million people. If you must travel here, please see war zone safety.

The tribal areas are generally not considered a tourist destination and for good reason. While there are many good people living in these areas, there are also a fair share of those willing to cause trouble to foreigners, and there's little than can be done to help you if you're in trouble – don't expect your embassy to come to your rescue either. Travellers to Landi Kotal and the Khyber Pass require an armed escort and a permit – you won't get through without these, so don't waste your time trying. Dara Adam Khel also attracts a handful of travellers to visit the gun manufacturing, but the same risks apply there: use caution.

The U.S. military is currently carrying out a bombing campaign in this area. American armed drones are highly active in this area. The robotic aircraft are heavily loaded with weapons and will open fire on anyone who they believe to be members of Al-Qaeda or the Taliban.

Several tips:

-Drones are characterised by the loud buzzing noise that they make, equivalent to that made by a bee or a lawnmower. You may also see the aircraft circling overhead.

-DO NOT perform the following actions; Lay down and drop something on a road (it looks like you are laying an IED), run, point at the aircraft. These actions may result in the aircraft opening fire.

-Just pretend that you don't see the aircraft and that you are having a normal day.

-Stay away from anyone who you suspect to be a member of AQ or the Taliban. They WILL be targeted, and if you are near them you will be caught in the blast radius of the aircraft's weapons.