Pakistan’s tribal areas continue to be in a state of disarray
Pakistan's decision to change the status of those tribal areas adjoining Afghanistan might have been taken with good intentions; namely to provide more representative institutions and a better system of governance. Such integration, it was assumed, would herald the advent of a new era of social justice and rapid economic progress.
However, noble motives alone cannot guarantee the success of any new initiative. Those who took the decision or those at whose behest the new policy was adopted were ignorant of the stark realities of the tribal system.
Firstly, the protagonists responsible for the merger did not seem to realize that the negatives of the initiative would far outweigh its benefits. They failed to recognize the fact that the old system had delivered peace and tranquility in the region for more than 150 years.
Even when Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union and tens of thousands of refugees were entering Pakistan through the tribal areas, the systems did not break down. Additionally, there was complete peace and harmony in the tribal areas when an epic battle was raging just across the border in which thousands were killed, maimed, disabled and hundreds of others uprooted.
Secondly, the system delivered quick and inexpensive justice. Thirdly, the old setup had a built-in system of retribution so that no one could commit an offence and get away with it. That explains why there were no thefts, rapes, and robberies in the region, with murders few and far between.
Furthermore, the tribesmen did not spend money on costly, protracted court cases or enlist the services of expensive lawyers — they were too poor to afford such luxuries.
Life was peaceful, one of contentment; Because of the tribal system, every one was expected to share in the grief or joy of another belonging to the same sub-section of the tribe. This provided immense relief even in the face of adversities. Consequently, crimes such as suicide were unheard of in the tribal areas, too.
Governance was easy because the tribal elders were the strong arm of the administration — one where people worked voluntarily and were happy with small rewards or just an acknowledgement of their contribution.
Additionally, policies of the government were swiftly and effectively implemented because the tribe was supporting the administration.
Because of the strategic importance of the area, it was rational and prudent to maintain the system that has worked so well. It worked because it reflected the aspirations of the tribes and also helped the government in protecting the borders.
Because the system was rooted in the culture and ethos of society, it did not require any huge investment in infrastructure such as police, courts, revenue officers, residences, and police lines, to name a few.
Such was the harmony, peace and fear of retribution for any wrongdoing that the minorities living in the area never felt threatened either. For more than a 1,000 years, Hindus and Sikhs lived side by side with their Muslim tribesmen all over the tribal area without facing any discrimination or attacks.
A system based on local customs — that delivered in war and peace — is being dismantled with horrifying implications and at a horrendous cost and expense of justice and harmony in society.
Rustam Shah Mohmand
That societal fabric — which held the tribal area together — is under attack in the name of 'guaranteeing basic rights'. What law has been enacted in the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa province that enabled the province to achieve accelerated development?
The tribal areas have not progressed because of the government's low priority and small allocation of funds for development. Which part of the tribal area has ever blocked a developmental scheme — colleges, hospitals, roads, irrigation channels, grid stations, mining? Which tribal system has ever come in the way of the formulation or execution of any developmental scheme in the area?
These are all false assumptions.
Add to that the cost of this entirely unwarranted transition. Billions of rupees are being invested in administrative infrastructure such as a new pool for government servants, office complexes, police lines, court buildings, jails in every sub-division, and provision of transport to name a few.
Come to think of it, the tribal areas did not need any such 'facility' but now billions would be spent on creating and maintaining this colossal infrastructure. The cost to the environment and agriculture would be unquantifiable too as the land in the tribal areas is scarce. All the land which supported limited farming will vanish as soon as the construction of buildings kicks in. Not only would food production suffer but there would be a huge ecological damage caused to a pristine rural environment.
The woes don't end here. Crime would increase manifold as the tribal bonds weaken and eventually disappear. The collective responsibility system would become irrelevant resulting in a phenomenal rise in the number of crimes and land disputes would emerge once again.
Because the land is collectively owned by sub-sections of a section of a tribe, individual shares are determined by a well laid-out system of shares which is in proportion to the extent of collective responsibility that each household carries.
With that system breaking down and every family laying claims to property, there would inevitably be bloody fights causing widespread chaos. Adding insult to injury, the police investigation and prosecution would be another intolerable burden on the poor tribesmen, not to mention paying an exorbitant amount as lawyers' fee and waiting for a lifetime to get a verdict.
This is what is in store for the poor in the tribal areas. A system based on local customs — that delivered in war and peace — is being dismantled with horrifying implications and at a horrendous cost and expense of justice and harmony in society.
Will prudence and sanity prevail to stop this juggernaut of folly and madness.
