A Key to Enduring Peace: Reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan

During the Cold War and the ongoing Global War On Terrorism, the Federally Administered TribalAreas FATA of Pakistan formed the strongholds of mujahedeen-turned terrorists. For the last fourdecades, the tribespeople of FATA have been the victims of terror and socio-economic deprivation. Thetribal traditions and the semi-autonomous status of FATAin accordance with the constitution ofPakistanbarred Pakistans administration from imposing any order in the FATA. In the absence of anyreal law enforcement and governance mechanism in FATA, the Taliban thrivedand exported terror tothe outside world.After 911, amid international pressure, Pakistans government endeavored to establish its writ inFATA. As part of this process, Pakistans Army drove the Taliban from FATA through a decade-longmilitary campaign. Now, to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, Pakistan must integrateFATA 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 nationalsystem and examines the possibility of merging FATA with Khyber Pakhtun Khaw provincewhich hassignificant ethnic, religious, and cultural similarities, though it has been part of Pakistans federal systemfor 70 years. Specifically, this thesis highlights the administrative and economic reforms necessary toestablish effective state control and to bring the FATA to equal status with Pakistans other provinces.