Abstract
The present research study goes through the overall administrative set up of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan under which these areas have been administered since long. The administrative mechanism of FATA is peculiar in its nature and essence. The system of administration in these areas is totally different from the administrative machinery operating in settled areas. The basic administrative unit in settled areas is district while in tribal areas it is the tribal agency in which one finds a unique picture of administration. Unlike Deputy Commissioners in settled districts the Political Agents in tribal areas derive multifarious powers from the unique administrative framework provided under Frontier Crimes Regulation 1901 (FCR). Being a federal and at times provincially appointed official, the Political Agent, closely watches the administration of the concerned tribal agency with maximum power and executive authority in hand. The political agent exercises a blend of executive, judicial and revenue powers and also maintains law and order situation and suppresses crimes and criminal activities in the tribal agency. Keeping all these responsibilities intact, he is supported by khassadars, levies (tribal militias) and paramilitary forces that work under military command. The administrative structure in each political agency further reveals that a Political Agent is further assisted by an assistant political agent and officer in-charge of specific sub-division. At local level political tehsildar, naib tehsildar and political moharir perform their administrative functions. All these officials perform their respective duties under the overall administrative control of Governor's Secretariat FATA. The tribes are internally free to regulate their own affairs keeping in mind their tribal codes (unwritten), customs and traditions. They also take care of the principle of 'collective responsibility' for the deeds and actions of their individual family or tribe members and 'territorial responsibility' of those areas which are given under their control. This study, thus, presents a holistic view regarding the administrative system of FATA with thorough historical backdrop and analysis
