Daily Archives: April 12, 2023

By Amna Noreen

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is a province in Pakistan that has been experiencing violent trends for the past few years. As government scrambled to solve the issue of terrorism and growing violent trends in society through administrative and policy measures, a prudent question remains; is there a linkage between these behavior and socio-economic issues prevailing in the province?

Certainly! There is a growing body of research that suggests a link between socio-economic factors and the rise of militancy and terrorism. One study that supports this link is “Economic Perspectives on Incidents of Terrorism in Pakistan,” conducted by the World Bank in 2018. This study looked at the relationship between poverty, unemployment, income inequality, and terrorism in Pakistan. The researchers found that these factors are all contributing factors to terrorism and militancy in the country. The study also found that the lack of economic opportunities for young people is a significant factor that drives them towards militancy and terrorist organizations.

Similarly, in the context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a study by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) titled “The Socio-Economic Roots of Terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” (2013) found that poverty, unemployment, and lack of education are contributing factors to the rise of terrorism in the province. The study emphasized the need for socio-economic development to address the root causes of terrorism in the province.

Below is detailed analysis of each of these issues which are driving the local youth towards evils like militancy and other violent criminal trends.

Poverty

Poverty is a significant issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has been identified as a contributing factor to violent trends. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the incidence of poverty in KP was 30.7% in 2018. (No report since 2020 where these statistics were revealed). The lack of opportunities for economic growth and development exacerbates poverty, and as a result, some people do turn to violent means to survive often falling in trap of militants and banned organizations who look for cheap foot soldiers.

Unemployment

Unemployment is one of the major socio-economic factors that is pushing youth towards militancy. KP has a high youth population, and most of them are unemployed. This has led to frustration among the youth, which has resulted in them joining militant groups. The cost of living has increased exponentially in the past few years, and this has made it difficult for people to make ends meet. The poor are the most affected by inflation, and they have been forced to resort to extreme measures to survive. The lack of opportunities is also contributing to violent trends in KP.

Law and Order

Law and order is another major issue that has been contributing to violent trends in KP. The province has been facing terrorism and militancy for the past few years, and this has resulted in a breakdown of law and order. The police force in KP is under-resourced, and the justice system is slow. This has led to a sense of impunity among criminals, which has further exacerbated the problem. According to the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS) Islamabad , there were 169 terrorism-related incidents in KP in 2022. Unable to access the swift justice from court of law acts as catalyst inciting people to take law into their own hands.

Inflation

Inflation is another major issue that has been impacting the lives of people in KP. The cost of living has increased exponentially in the past few years, and this has made it difficult for people to make ends meet. The poor are the most affected by inflation, and they have been forced to resort to extreme measures to survive. Inflation in Pakistan has skyrocketed in 2022 to a whopping 35% from 13% in 2021. In KP, inflation remains higher than the national level due to added logistical costs to almost every consumer item in the market.

Lack of Opportunities

The lack of opportunities is another major issue that has been contributing to violent trends in KP. The province has a limited job market, and most of the jobs are in the informal sector. This has made it difficult for people to find stable and well-paying jobs. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the labour force participation rate in KP was 50.4% in 2020.

In conclusion, It is important to note that there are many complex and interrelated factors that contribute to the rise of violent trends in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other regions around the world i.e. factors like poverty, unemployment, law and order, inflation, and lack of opportunities.  While socio-economic factors are significant, they are not the only factors that contribute to the problem. Other factors such as political instability, religious extremism, and historical grievances also play a role in the rise of violent trends.

By Shahzad Masood Roomi

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province in Pakistan has been facing serious security challenges for many years, which have created significant issues for both provincial and national security.

KP has been a victim of terrorism for many years, and the situation has only worsened in recent times. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), the number of terrorism-linked incidents rose sharply from 168 in 2021 to 225 in 2022, the highest since 2015, when there were 278 incidents. The number of major incidents (each involving three or more killings) increased from 41 in 2021 to 56 in 2022, the highest since 2013, when there were 72 such incidents. Of the 38 districts in KP, 16 recorded terrorism-related violence. The Taliban and other extremist groups have been responsible for most of these attacks. These groups have been able to establish a strong presence in the province and carry out attacks with ease.

The most alarming aspect of the current KP security profile is that since 2022, a trend of more security forces fatalities than insurgents/terrorists is being witnessed. In 2022, 206 security personnel (mostly police) were killed along with 52 civilians, while only 140 terrorists were eliminated by security forces. Many security forces lost their lives during Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) which were supposed to give the security forces the advantage of the element of surprise. Still, these statistics show that there are serious problems in intelligence gathering or execution of operations.

Another major security challenge in KP is the law and order situation. The province has been plagued by crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, and extortion. In 2022, there were more than 5000 cases of kidnapping and abduction across Pakistan, and most of these were linked to criminals operating from either KP or Afghan areas adjacent to the Pak-Afghan border across KP. Due to various structural and resource issues, the police force in the province has been unable to maintain law and order effectively, leading to a rise in criminal activities.

The spill-over of Afghan refugees has also contributed to the security challenges in KP. The province has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for many years. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan in 2019, and in 2022, there was no major change in this number as the process of Afghan refugee repatriation remains suspended in practical terms. The presence of these refugees has put a strain on the province’s already limited resources. The refugees have also been involved in criminal activities, and some of them have been associated with extremist groups. The presence of these refugees has made it difficult for the government to maintain law and order in the province.

Before any solution can be implemented at the provincial level, it is critical for Islamabad to chart a long-term national policy on negotiations with terrorism. In 2021, Pakistan initiated a process of dialogue with TTP, and in 2022, the country witnessed an unprecedented surge in terrorism. Islamabad needs a long-term anti-terrorism national policy where negotiation with terrorists must take place under only one condition: surrendering to the state. Any negotiation below this threshold will always create a security nightmare at the provincial and national level.

At the provincial level, the first step should be to improve the law enforcement agencies in the province. The police force should be provided with better training and equipment to deal with the security situation. Essentially, there must be counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency elements in KP police training. The government should also increase the number of police personnel in the province to improve the law and order situation.

Finally, the government should take measures to address the issue of Afghan refugees. The refugees should be registered, and their movement should be monitored closely. The government should also work with the Afghan government to create conditions that will allow the refugees to return to their homes safely.

In conclusion, the security challenges in KP are serious and require urgent attention from the government. By improving law and order, targeting and eliminating extremist groups, and addressing the issue of Afghan refugees, the government can improve the security situation in the province and bring peace and stability to the region. All these actions require a long-term political commitment followed by a long-term anti-terrorism national policy with zero tolerance for those who are involved in spilling the blood of Pakistanis. KP has ample potential for attracting foreign investment in tourism and hospitality sectors, but the law and order situation in the province remains the ultimate hindrance. Stability is the first step towards economic stability, and this must be the cornerstone of future action across the country.