Waziristan facts for kids
Waziristan (which means "land of the Wazir" in Pashto and Urdu: وزیرستان) is a mountainous area in northwest Pakistan. It shares a border with Afghanistan and covers about 11,585 square kilometers. This region is part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, which means it's not part of any of Pakistan's four main provinces.
Understanding Waziristan's Status
Even though some groups have called Waziristan a "state" or "emirate," its official status is a bit more complicated. People who think it acts like a state point out that the main government of Pakistan has very little power there. Instead, the area is mostly run by local tribal elders.
Groups like the Taliban are also reported to have a lot of control in Waziristan. They often follow their own strict rules, which the Pakistani government has found hard to stop. This strong sense of independence has made some people describe Waziristan as a "state within a state." This means it acts like its own country even though it's officially part of Pakistan.
Images for kids
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North (purple) and South (blue) Waziristan and surrounding Federally Administered Tribal Areas and provinces
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See also
In Spanish: Waziristán para niños
