A key to enduring peace: reforms in federally administered tribal areas of Pakistan

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Authors
Khan, Muhammad Waqar Khalid
Subjects
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan
integration in Pakistan's state system
constitutional amendments
administrative
political
judicial and economic reforms
Advisors
Halladay, Carolyn C.
Looney, Robert E.
Date of Issue
2016-12
Date
Dec-16
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
During the Cold War and the ongoing Global War On Terrorism, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan formed the strongholds of mujahedeen-turned terrorists. For the last four decades, the tribespeople of FATA have been the victims of terror and socio-economic deprivation. The tribal traditions and the semi-autonomous status of FATA—in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan—barred Pakistan's administration from imposing any order in the FATA. In the absence of any real law enforcement and governance mechanism in FATA, the Taliban thrived—and exported terror to the outside world. After 9/11, amid international pressure, Pakistan's government endeavored to establish its writ in FATA. As part of this process, Pakistan's Army drove the Taliban from FATA through a decade-long military campaign. Now, to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, Pakistan must integrate FATA into the national mainstream by imposing the full constitutional framework on the lawless region. This thesis examines the integration options available to Pakistan to absorb FATA into its national system and examines the possibility of merging FATA with Khyber Pakhtun Khaw province—which has significant ethnic, religious, and cultural similarities, though it has been part of Pakistan's federal system for 70 years. Specifically, this thesis highlights the administrative and economic reforms necessary to establish effective state control and to bring the FATA to equal status with Pakistan's other provinces.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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