The influence of conflict and development on social structure and political change in Swat, Pakistan

Transcription

1 The influence of conflict and development on social structure and political change in Swat, Pakistan Dr. Noor Elahi (PhD) Department of Development Studies COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan 1

2 o o o o o o o o o Outline of Lecture Description of Swat (pre-conflict) Social structure, oethnicity, Ethnic groups othe Pukhtoon culture and practices Political system Processes of development Taliban and their arrival in Swat Pakistan military operations, internal displacement Influence of militant conflict on social sturcture, political system, development Influence on post-crises development and change Conclusion 2

3 Map of Pakistan, KPK and FATA, Swat KPK FATA Swat 3

4 Description of Swat o Buddhists in first century o Muslim Ruler in 11th Century o Pukhtoon arrival in 16th Century o A distinctive status as independent state o Merger with Pakistan in 1969 o Militant intrusion

5 Social Structure Social Structure can be defined as relatively stable systems of social relationships and opportunities in which individuals find themselves and by which they are vitally affected, but over which most of them have no control (Greenfeld, 1992). Arrival of the Pukhtoon ethnicity (The Yousafzai tribe) to Swat migrated from Afghanistan to Peshawar valley. The social structure developed in Swat closely corresponds to the Pukhtoon ideal type of relationship between super and subordinate as reciprocal (Barth, 1959). 5

6 Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups Ethnicity: the identification of a group based on the perceived cultural distinctiveness that make the group into a people (Hussain, 2014). Ethnic group: a social group or category of the population that, in a larger society, is set apart and bound together by common ties of race, language, nationality, or culture Ethnic groups in Swat: Pukhtoon (mainly of the Yousafzai tribe), Mian/Syed, Kohistanis, Gujjars, occupational groups and a small number of Hindus and Sikhs 6

7 The Pukhtoon Culture and Practices Pukhtoon: a single genealogical ethnic (unilineal descent) group, validate thier right to land in Swat through tradition of conquest (Asad, 1972). The Pukhtoon in Swat hold the authority through cultural strucutre of Pukhtoonwali, but divided in territorial sub division and the support from other group is voluntry. Upholding Pukhtoonwali: defined as (a code of ethics or way of life) which governs all aspects of social structure, genealogy, morality, political action and economic life (Lindholum, 1982), is the prerequisite for maintaining political authority. 7

8 The Pukhtoon Culture and Practices Paighor (taunt) Malmastia (hospitality) Jirga (council of elders), Purdha and Namoos (gender boundaries Hujra (guest place), The principles of Pukhtoonwali Badal (revenge), Nanawatee (refuge, asylum), Tarboorw ali (agnatic rivalry), Tor (shame), Ghairat/Na ng (honour, chivalry), 8

9 The Political System in Swat The political system in Swat is the sum of all the choices of individuals giving their allegiance to other, referred by Barth as framework The men from other ethnic groups are free to choose a particular group- whether for political, economic, recreational or other purpose (Asad, 1972). The main sources of political authrity of chief are ownership of land, honour and provison of hospitality (Asad, 1972). Voluntary support, economic reward, military security and protection of his followers 9

10 The Political System and Government in Swat In state period, land were allocated to the powerful Pukhtoon The domination of landholding familites were enhanced, which in turn facilitated the successful emergence of princely state in Swat. The competition and conflict between Khans (landholding families) for land and political objectives is resolved through the Jirga, following both customary and Islamic laws. Oppressed others, to maintain and secure social order. The development processes and welfare services continued, bringing strucutural and institutional changes. 10

11 The Processes of Development Development, as the process of change in social, economic and political systems, Historical changes (intentional and nonintentional), Institutional and structural changes, during state period The Pukhtoonwali itself incorporate all the ingredients of modern movement by working in social transformation. The Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek (God servants movement) 11

12 The Processes of Development Merger with Pakistan, constitutional development Since 1980, more intentional Development, participatory development, gender and development, empowerment, MDGS. Establishment of parallel committees, supporting local people access to resources, freedom, political right etc. The 2001 local government system, focused at grass root level changes in political and social system. Effects on power relations, change in role of jirga, hujra, hospatility (power shift but not so pervassive before Taliban). 12

13 Taliban and their arrival in Swat The emergence of Taliban movement in 1995, control of Kabul, their spreading affects on Pakistani madrassa. The 9/11 incident, Pakistan involvement in War on Terror, Spread of Taliban in different part of FATA and KPK, Taliban arrival in Swat, 2005 onward Linking with Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM: Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law) under the leadership of Mullah Fazlullah Motivations (religious radicalization) of poor and other groups to join the movement, 13

14 Taliban and Local Lashkar 14

15 Taliban ruling in Swat Promise for fulfilling the grievances of the poor and marginalized classes. Promise for bringing political change, development, equality and justice etc. Involvement and support of local people (hospitality, asylum). Forceful entrence, weak instititions and social strucutre providing space to militants without resistance (Badshah et al, 2012) 15

16 Taliban ruling and governance in Swat Expelling the strong Khans by terrifying, kidnaping, and banning any kind of gathering or conducting jirga, (Hussain, 2014) Bombing Hujra, controlling Jirga by establishing their own parallel institution (Markaz) Conducting and ensuring quick decisions and ordering people to bring their cases to Markaz instead of Khans Threatening local security agency (police), local govt. representatives, brutal killings and their links with foreign actors 16

17 Taliban ruling and governance in Swat Slacken the authority of Khan (Malik) in different parts. Paying ways for local people to join the militant group, creating distance and lack of trust among communities (Salman, 2011, Orakzai, 2011). Women restriction, intercommunity or outside movement and girls education, however, motivating women for rights under Islamic law. 17

18 Response of Government of Pakistan Attempting negotiations and reconciliation Holding of Jirga, government and security agencies involvement, Agreement on imposing Islamic sharia and courts system. Pakistan army s operation, Rah-e-Haq 2008 and Rahi Rast 2009 on the request of KPK government Displacement of more than 1.2 million people from Swat, disturbing the affiliation between different groups Breaking the political network, social system and economic losses-particularly to Khans Followed by Flood disaster 2010, influence on development 18

19 Military Operation 19

20 Impact of Conflict, Displacement Norwegian University of Life Sciences 20

21 Influence of Taliban on Social Structure The biggest jolt to Pukhtoonwali came in the shape of militancy in whole area (Ghulam Qadir, 2014). Religion and culture were separated and pitched against each others. Religion overtook culture and newly interpreted religion dominated the life style. Mullah forced over Khan and Malik, so distorted the relations. The Taliban discourse resulted in mindset that reject diversity, freedom, eliminated Pukhtoon social order (Qadir, 2014). 21

22 Influence of Taliban on social structure Destroyed cultural heritage, banished Pukhtoon singers, poets, killed the leader, constrained the women progress and particularly targeted the KKT workers in Swat. (Anoosh, 2014; Hussain, 2014). Taliban motivation over distribution of land resources weakend the trust among the landlords and the landless or small landholders. Jirga, which was a source of holding political power is changed now. 22

23 Influence of Taliban on Social Structure Jirga is there, either supported by government for security purposes or NGOs for interventions Common hospitality is rare, however, individually practiced Refuge/Asylum affected due to lack of trust and security and threat from government s security agencies Hujra has now very less role in socialization, however, still active for political activities 23

24 Taliban and Political Change Pukhtoonwali believes in free choice of individual political will, however, does not compromise domination The militancy limited such options, however, paved ways for freedom. Affiliations among different ethnic groups particularly Khan and others is highly reduced (particiaption in sorrow and joy) No direct specific ethnic group affiliation with militant, The landlords are still not in a position to regain their political leadership 24

25 Taliban and Political Change Middle class as educated population group is emerging Youth participation in politics e.g Election (PTI s success with many new faces in Swat), challenging the old traditional leadership Militancy conflict itself changed the social structure and political system. Women participation in election and Jirga Trial Lecture for PhD defence Norwegian University of Life Sciences 25

26 Militancy: Impacts and Motivation 26

27 Influence on Development Development, an ongoing process that continued before the Taliban s entrance in Swat Political leaders interfernece and involvement Government s institutions lack in privision of security and fulfilling the need of people Religious and cultural constriants, particularly related to women interventions 27

28 Influence on Development The militant and flood crises destroyed institutional and infrastructural development and curtailed socio-economic development, trade, market and tourism (Salman, 2012, Ahmad, 2010). Influence on the government institutions and developemnt projects Expelled NGOs from Swat and halted their development interventions for more than four year Affected promotion of health and education, particulary for women and children. 28

29 Challenges in sustaining post-crises Development Security issues for NGOs and Donors The fragility of time, Scattered focus Change in Priorities and needs of people, government and donors Power and Politics, lack of coordination, Institutional complexities Short term interventions 29

30 Conclusion The social relations (reciprocal) particularly between Khans and other groups are disturbed and lack trust. Freedom in the context of affiliation of different ethnic groups Emergence of new political group-not only in Swat but overall in KPK and at federal level The development initiatives are not encouraging Change in thoughts, acts and relations of the people Empowerment of women and other ethnic groups improving 30

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