Merger, She Wrote

For Pakistan, maintaining borders with its neighbours has consistently posed significant challenges, deeply rooted in a complex historical and political landscape. The rugged borderlands of northwestern Pakistan, often associated with lawlessness and militancy, have been labelled by former US President Barack Obama as “the most dangerous place in the world.” Factors contributing to this perception include ongoing conflicts, the presence of militant groups, and the challenges of effective governance in these remote regions. Additionally, the porous nature of these borders facilitates the movement of both goods and individuals, complicating security efforts. The socio-economic struggles of the local population further exacerbate tensions, making it difficult to establish peace and stability. Consequently, one must ponder: what exactly makes this region so perilous, and is it truly the most dangerous place on Earth?

Historically, the region’s challenges are intricately linked to colonial-era laws enacted to control the population rather than serve its needs. The ambiguous legal status of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and its proximity to Afghanistan have positioned it within a complex geopolitical landscape. Covering approximately 10,000 square miles, this former tribal region, home to more than five million individuals, has often been viewed through the lenses of terrorism, repression, and neglect. The British established frontier laws in 1901 to suppress resistance and act as a buffer against Russian expansion. These laws, inherited by Pakistan at its inception in 1947, resulted in the inhabitants being denied fundamental rights and excluded from national governance for an extended period. It was not until 1997 that they were granted the right to participate in Pakistani elections. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 further complicated the situation, transforming the region into a battleground for Islamic fighters supported by the United States and allied nations against Moscow’s forces. In the aftermath of the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, the region unfortunately descended into lawlessness, becoming a hub for fugitives, criminal networks, and arms smugglers.

The region became a militant stronghold after the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York and on the Pentagon, as United States military operations in Afghanistan pushed Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants into the tribal areas. Groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, also known as the T.T.P. or Pakistani Taliban, moved to establish control. Such groups offered rudimentary governance while intimidating and killing tribal elders who resisted their rule. Over time, the T.T.P. expanded its terrorist network beyond the borderlands, carrying out attacks across Pakistan, including in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, and even internationally, notably in New York, with the attempted Times Square bombing in 2010. After a vast military operation in the tribal areas, the Pakistan military declared victory over the T.T.P. in 2018. This historical context has rendered the border region a geopolitical chessboard, where various powers have pursued their ambitions, often at the expense of local communities.

On 27 May 2018, members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly voted decisively to pass the KP-FATA merger bill, which had earlier passed through both houses of Pakistan’s National Assembly. Officially, the 31st Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan aimed to merge the semi-autonomous FATA with the neighbouring province of KP to provide greater security and development. Yet, the political landscape, including impending general elections, raised questions about whether the bill was passed with adequate diligence. Critics argue that this haste could trigger unrest and exacerbate existing issues. The merger of the FATA into Pakistan’s mainstream political and legal framework was intended to promote better governance and economic development while mitigating violence by integrating these regions into a structured political system. The expected outcomes included enhanced stability and improved resource allocation; however, the transition has struggled with challenges in governance and social cohesion. A thorough analysis is essential for understanding the implications of this merger on national unity and the socio-political landscape of Pakistan.

Despite the merger, deep-rooted problems persist. The deteriorating law and order situation in these areas remains a significant challenge for a nation of 250 million grappling with economic instability and political turmoil. The local population claims they were promised development, peace, jobs, and a fair justice system—everything they have been denied for decades. Alarmingly, tribal elders and Islamist factions have begun to call for reversing the merger, a sentiment echoed by the Pakistani Taliban, which has intensified assaults on security forces in pursuit of overthrowing the government and establishing an Islamic caliphate.