Allai Tehsil


Allai is a tehsil of Batagram District in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. It is home to the Allai Valley.

History

The valley was ruled by the Khans until 1949, when they signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan. In 1971, Allai merged into Pakistan as an administrative part of the Battagram subdivision. In 1993, Battagram was upgraded to the status of a district, and Allai become one of its sub-divisions.

2005 earthquake

The Allai valley was affected by the Kashmir earthquake on October 8, 2005. The earthquake destroyed the cableway that allowed residents to cross the Indus River.

Administration

Allai is one of the two Tehsils, or subdivisions, of the Battagram District. Allai contains eight Union Councils:
'Khan culture,' characterized by strong tribal/feudal chiefs, is still dominant in the Allai Valley.

Geography

The Allai Valley is bounded by Kohistan on the north and east by the Kaghan valley, Nandhiarh and Deshi of Deshiwals on the south, and by the Indus river on the west. The valley is divided from Kohistan on the north by a range of mountains rising over and from Nandhiar and Deshi by another range running from the Afghanistan border to the Indus above Thakot. The average breadth of the Allai Valley is about and the total area. Forests cover the mountain slopes at the eastern end.

Economy

Wheat, barley, corn, and rice are the primary crops.

Demographics

The area is mainly inhabited by Pashto-speaking tribes, Allai is populated mainly by Swati Pashtuns and some yusafzais also. The Pashtun tribes are divided into many khels or sub-sections, such as the Ashrals, Akhun Khel, Tor, Samkori, Mada Khel, Mahabat Khel, Musa Khel, Mulla Khel, Raja Khel and Jalungyaal.
Other non-Pashto speaking tribes in the valley are Gujjars and Kohistani.