A journey through FATA

A Basic health Unit Dispensary destroyed by Militants in Daawazai Area

Recent attack on SALALA check post in Mohmand Agency resulting death of 24 soldiers and scores of injuries has not only changed the paradigm of national security but also compel Pakistan military establishment to revive its strategy to fight the US war on Terror. On the other side this act of war against Pakistan sovereignty has also pose some serious questions on security agencies credibility and mandate to stationed in the region. After this accident a debate was started to access the ground realities and address the lope holes to avoid such type of events in future course of time.

In wake of this event I also got an opportunity to travel to the frontline villages of Mohmand Agency to witnessed “What’s TRUE and How much”. I travelled through war affected villages in particular to observe what the miseries of the local population are and also get a real essence of “how it feels being part of CONFLICT with no reasons whatsoever”. During my engagement with the local elders and community I made following conclusions;

• Governance System: Before 9/11 tribal belt was consider one of the most peaceful area of Pakistan with its unique socio-governance systems based upon its local values and traditions rather than any set of concrete law codes. Local elders (called Maliks) under the direct influence of Political Administration (Appointed by Federation) and overall guidance of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) law was responsible for administration, trade and security of the region. These bonds were based upon hundred years of folk wisdom and deep rooted cultural understanding.

9/11 brings very fatal days of destruction for the people and systems under which under the overall guidance of Military Janta and Political Establishment, based in Islamabad, a decision was made use the area as frontline for US war against militancy. A third variable under the name of “Taliban” was included in the socio-eco-political life of  the tribal regions which dislocate the centuries old system of governance and encourage use of Force and militancy to solve the local and regional issues. This approach discontinue the tribal trust and confidence on the political administration and vice versa which results in complete chaos for both and create heavens for the outside FORCES.

With the absence of this system the overall equation of power sharing and balance has been disappeared and resulted rise of “individualism” theory and concept for families and tribes.

• Status QUO change: Before the military intervention in the area every tribesman was allowed to carry his own arms and arsenal which was very necessary to impose peace in the area. After the military installment in the areas they were banned to do so which create an opportunity for the “militants” to use as advantage for their struggle in the region. Apart from this most of the access links and prime locations in the villages are occupied by the security agencies which itself is “irritating” the local people as they were never used to observe such a thing. These security units belong to the other parts of Pakistan with very little or no knowledge of the social and political protocols is also disturbing the peoples-administration attitude and hopes.
• Infrastructure Damages: Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is the most neglected and under-developed areas of Pakistan and after being dragged to war a decade ago its lost most of its infrastructure to “explosion and attacks” while the remaining is “occupied” by the Security agencies for staying needs. Public Health units, Primary Schools and colleges are the most affected government installation in the area. As per Education Department officials statistics more than 56 schools are destroyed in conflict and almost 28 are occupied by the security agencies for different purposes. These infrastructure lost on one side piles the economic burden on the political administration and on other side also pushed people in the quagmire of never lasting psycho-social injuries and unrest.
• Developmental Costs: Due to heavy economic and infrastructure lost the political administration are unable to satisfy needs of the local peoples by providing provision of basic health, communication and education services which is creating misunderstanding between them and at the same time fueled by the insurgence through propaganda of “deliberate act of deprivation” by the political administration. Prevailing of these sentiments is very dangerous for federal system and also poses serious threats to the integration of the region to the rest to Pakistan.

A Bunch of Houses destroyed by Military in Recent Operation against insurgents

Besides these bullets it was also surfaced through observation and discussions that the agriculture and trade lost in the area are also touching new heights especially the recent embargo by the Military official on the import of “Urea and DAP” which was used by the local militant for explosions.

Still Hope of peace and stability is there if the security and political establishments consider the ground realities and indulge the local elders in the mainstream decision making authorities.

In summary Pakistan needs to reconsider their “terms of engagement” in this spill over war of terror in the region but should also think seriously about engaging the FATA realties in development of National security Paradigm with solid ground realities.