'The Talibanisation of Pakistan's Western Region', Institute of South Asian Studies, 24 November 2009
EXCERPT: "The Afghans/Pathans/Pakhtoons/Pashtoons form almost half of Afghanistan’s population and more than 15 percent of Pakistan’s population. Apart from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where they are a majority, they reside in the western provinces of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Baluchistan. However, due to several factors, including their ethics code known as Pashtoonwali, they wield influence out of proportion to their numbers in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The FATA, a belt along the border, has been autonomous even before the advent of the British Indian Empire. The tribesmen of the FATA have resisted the induction of troops in their area since the invasion of Afghanistan. There has been an escalation of hostilities between the two sides, and now the adjoining areas of Swat, Dir, Mardan Peshawar and Bajour are also affected by this ‘high intensity insurgency’. The Pakistan Army’s operations in this area are void of any political will or support. . . This paper analyzes the deterioration of the situation to its present level. It discusses the historical background of the situation to the present situation, including the system of governance evolved by the British for the FATA. It also assesses and evaluates the Pakistani government’s response to solving the problems. This paper shall end by putting forth a number of recommendations that can, hopefully, help in bringing peace and tranquility to this region."
Read the full article.
Related articles:
Then there's Pakistan and the Pashtun, The New York Times, 3 December 2009
Related reports:
Pushtuns, tribalism, leadership, Islam and Taliban: A short view, Vern Liebl // Small Wars and Insurgencies, 17 November 2008
Related posts:
Tribesmen pawns in "duplicitous" game, 4 November 2009
