Only 38 percent NWFP, FATA under Pak Govt.'s control: BBC

Lahore, May 14 (ANI): Only 38 percent of the NWFP and the FATA is under Pakistan Government's control, a BBC map illustrates.

The 18-month-long research covered 24 districts of NWFP, seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions of the FATA.

In 24 percent of the region, BBC claims, the Pakistani Government did not exercise authority at all. Either the Taliban was in complete control or the military was engaged in operations to flush it out, BBC reports.

With stable bases in another 38 percent of the region, Taliban has a permanent presence in three FATA and 11 NWFP districts.

Restricting local government activities here, the Taliban carried out periodic attacks on girls' schools, music shops, police stations and government buildings.

The researchers categorized the Taliban infestation on this basis: The incidents had to be of a recurring nature, there had to be an official recognition of Taliban presence, Taliban must have appointed local "commanders" and there must be functional religious schools sympathetic to the Taliban in the area.

BBC has predicted that there is a high likelihood of an increase in Taliban militancy in the near future. It could rise to a whopping 47 percent in Punjab. (ANI)