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.
