South Waziristan Student Secures Second Position Across KP in ETEA Engineering Entrance Test

Studying at Tameer-i-Watan Public School and College, Abbottabad, on a WAWA scholarship, Siyar Ahmed’s success underscores the region’s vast potential and the organisation’s growing role in nurturing talent through education.

Hamid Khan Wazir

WANA: In a remarkable testament to the power of talent and opportunity, a young student from the long-neglected region of South Waziristan has emerged as a shining example of academic excellence, securing second position across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) Engineering Entrance Test.

Siyar Ahmed, son of Khoon Badshah, Karmaz Khel, a resident of Azam Warsak, in Lower South Waziristan district, has brought immense pride to his parents, teachers, community and the entire Waziristan region with his outstanding performance in the competitive entrance examination.

Siyar Ahmed has been studying at Tameer-i-Watan Public School and College, Abbottabad, for the past five years on a scholarship provided through the WANA Welfare Association (WAWA). His exceptional achievement is being widely celebrated as a shining example of how talent from remote and underdeveloped areas can flourish when provided with quality education, proper guidance and equal opportunities.

His success has once again demonstrated that South Waziristan is rich in talent and potential; what its young people need is sustained attention, quality education and modern learning facilities.

The achievement also highlights the praiseworthy role of WAWA, which has been playing an important role in identifying, supporting and nurturing talented students from underserved communities for more than 20 years. Through its scholarship programme, the organisation is helping deserving students access quality education and compete at provincial and national levels.

WAWA’s efforts demonstrate how investment in education can transform the lives of individuals and entire communities. Students who once faced limited educational opportunities are now emerging as successful competitors in province-wide examinations, bringing recognition to their families and their region.

The organisation’s broader educational work reflects its commitment to empowering communities through sustainable development. According to information available on WAWA’s website, the organisation has sponsored more than 1,200 students, supported the education of over 600 orphans through the Ummah Children Academy (UCA), and provided education to more than 1,500 children through the Zindawar Schools System (ZSS). It has also established six rural schools and rehabilitated four government schools.

Founded in 2011 in Wana, the Ummah Children Academy provides free education, boarding and lodging to children affected by conflict and difficult circumstances. Meanwhile, the Zindawar Schools System operates schools in remote areas where access to government education facilities remains limited, helping make quality education more accessible and affordable for local communities.

WAWA also focuses on teacher training, recognising that improving the quality of education requires not only schools and scholarships but also well-trained and motivated educators capable of preparing students for the challenges of the modern world.

The success of Siyar Ahmed is therefore more than an individual achievement. It is a powerful reminder that when talent is given the right opportunities, it can shine anywhere. His second position in the ETEA Engineering Entrance Test has provided a source of inspiration for countless young students in Waziristan and other newly merged districts.

The achievement also highlights the importance of organisations such as WAWA, which are working to bridge the educational gap between remote communities and more developed parts of the province.

Siyar Ahmed’s success deserves the highest appreciation, while WAWA deserves recognition for its continued efforts to discover, support and nurture young talent. The organisation’s educational initiatives are helping create a new generation of confident, skilled and capable young people who can contribute meaningfully to their communities, province and country.

The story of Siyar Ahmed sends a clear message that Waziristan has no shortage of talent. With the right opportunities, quality education and sustained support, its youth can compete with the best and bring pride not only to their region but also to the entire nation. Siyar’s achievement is a testament to the power of education and a shining example of what can happen when talent meets opportunity.