The law and order situation in the tribal areas of Pakistan has drastically improved in the past few years, thanks to the persistent efforts of the state institutions, will of the local people and cooperation of the Afghan Govt. The challenge in such areas is always in maintaining peace and stability for a given period of time after having established it.
Prominent and experienced Afghan leader Ahmed Shah Masood realized in his later years that winning a battle is easier than bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. This was undoubtedly one of his major disappointments in life (We hope that the current peace talks shall help realise this dream).
Prominent and experienced Afghan leader Ahmed Shah Masood realized in his later years that winning a battle is easier than bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. This was undoubtedly one of his major disappointments in life (We hope that the current peace talks shall help realise this dream).
In both Afghanistan and frontier regions of India, different rulers have tried different techniques, from utter barbarity to cunning deceptive schemes. Nobody has tried a wall and it would be a new experiment. Pakistan must explore or re-explore all options and strategies for governing its tribal areas.
The classic British approach in these areas was to give authority and ownership to local chiefs and help them maintain law and order through their local militias. The local chief would almost always be a person who had felt the grip of British power. These Chiefs were mentally and psychologically convinced of the overwhelming British power and hence would not dare rise against them.
Pressure tactics like using Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) and financial blockades were tried in difficult circumstances. Another scheme which was almost permanent was that British would pay Afghanistan, who would then pay tribal chiefs. This way, the British would know who is receiving pay from Kabul.
These cunning schemes would usually result in improved law and order. The British approach towards winning loyalty and making durable alliances in India was "loyalty in self-interest", "common enemy" and "prospects of better life through superior administration". Chiefs would collaborate with British authorities in self-interest. It remains to be determined as to what exactly are the interests of the tribals in areas like Waziristan.
The classic British approach in these areas was to give authority and ownership to local chiefs and help them maintain law and order through their local militias. The local chief would almost always be a person who had felt the grip of British power. These Chiefs were mentally and psychologically convinced of the overwhelming British power and hence would not dare rise against them.
Pressure tactics like using Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) and financial blockades were tried in difficult circumstances. Another scheme which was almost permanent was that British would pay Afghanistan, who would then pay tribal chiefs. This way, the British would know who is receiving pay from Kabul.
These cunning schemes would usually result in improved law and order. The British approach towards winning loyalty and making durable alliances in India was "loyalty in self-interest", "common enemy" and "prospects of better life through superior administration". Chiefs would collaborate with British authorities in self-interest. It remains to be determined as to what exactly are the interests of the tribals in areas like Waziristan.
Is cross-border smuggling and drug trafficking included in their interests? Historically most rulers have given them the concession of cross-border trade, free electricity, no taxes etc. According to international media reports, the business of drugs in FATA continued uninterrupted under General Zia-Ul-Haq during the whole Soviet-Afghan War (1980-1988).
Now the "common enemy" approach. It happened in the Mogul era in India that many cities and large areas would become victim of robber assaults. The villagers and the Mogul kings would give the control of that city to the British in the hope that they would defeat the robbers. People would collaborate with the British because there was a common enemy to be defeated. Now we come to the superior administration aspect. It happened during several famines in India that people would look towards the British to get them out of the disastrous situations. They believed in the superior administration of the British.
For outright elimination of rebels in the frontier regions, British were helped by Mad Fakirs or ascetics who preached Jihad against the British. This way, the Govt would eliminate hundreds of rebels in a short time.
The task of controlling turbulent tribes is indeed difficult. The Moghul King of India, Aurangzeb Alamgir was given the same task by his father, Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb followed rigorous Islam whereas his father and elder brother had secular views. In 1647, Aurangzeb was sent to Afghanistan to prove his leadership and princely skills. He had to fight Uzbek, Hazara and other tribes and persians in Kandhar. Shah Jahan was perhaps sure that Aurangzeb would fail to subdue the turbulent tribes of Afghanistan. Nobody expected Aurangzeb to get out of the Afghan quagmire.
His approach was sheer demonstration of chivalry, spirituality and sacrificing the unimportant or untenable ground. During a battle with Uzbeks, right on the battlefield, he dismounted from his horse and started to offer his evening prayers. For his coolness under fire, he earned the respect of friends and foes alike. After campaigns in Afghanistan, Prince Aurangzeb was recognized as the coming man.
For further reading,
Rulers of India : Aurangzeb, Stanley Lane-Poole, Edited by W.W. Hunter, Oxford, 1901.
Now the "common enemy" approach. It happened in the Mogul era in India that many cities and large areas would become victim of robber assaults. The villagers and the Mogul kings would give the control of that city to the British in the hope that they would defeat the robbers. People would collaborate with the British because there was a common enemy to be defeated. Now we come to the superior administration aspect. It happened during several famines in India that people would look towards the British to get them out of the disastrous situations. They believed in the superior administration of the British.
For outright elimination of rebels in the frontier regions, British were helped by Mad Fakirs or ascetics who preached Jihad against the British. This way, the Govt would eliminate hundreds of rebels in a short time.
The task of controlling turbulent tribes is indeed difficult. The Moghul King of India, Aurangzeb Alamgir was given the same task by his father, Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb followed rigorous Islam whereas his father and elder brother had secular views. In 1647, Aurangzeb was sent to Afghanistan to prove his leadership and princely skills. He had to fight Uzbek, Hazara and other tribes and persians in Kandhar. Shah Jahan was perhaps sure that Aurangzeb would fail to subdue the turbulent tribes of Afghanistan. Nobody expected Aurangzeb to get out of the Afghan quagmire.
His approach was sheer demonstration of chivalry, spirituality and sacrificing the unimportant or untenable ground. During a battle with Uzbeks, right on the battlefield, he dismounted from his horse and started to offer his evening prayers. For his coolness under fire, he earned the respect of friends and foes alike. After campaigns in Afghanistan, Prince Aurangzeb was recognized as the coming man.
For further reading,
Rulers of India : Aurangzeb, Stanley Lane-Poole, Edited by W.W. Hunter, Oxford, 1901.
