Conflict and Violence in Swat: Impacts an Pakistani’s National Identity among Swat Pukhtuns

Abstract

This study proposes that the recent decade long conflict and violence in Swat, a Pakhtun populated region, has complex and multi-dimensional implications for two connected processes: Pakhtun sense of belonging to Pakistan (Pakistaniyat of Pakhtuns) and the process of National integration in Pakistan. It asks two questions, what are the consequences of the ongoing conflict for Pakhtun’s sense of belonging to Pakistani nation? And What are the repercussions of the conflict for Pakistani State and its national integration process? The ‘perceived’ role of Pakistani state in the conflict, the religious dimension of this conflict (Islam), and involvement of Pakistani state military are three areas discussed by this article as affecting Pakhtun’s imagination of Pakistan, Pakistani state and the subsequent process of national integration in Pakistan. The study is qualitative ethnographic in nature, based on an extensive ethnographic field work in Swat from December 2016 to March 2017, which was conducted for PHD research. It comprises of open ended interviews and discussions with almost 80 people from diverse socio-economic and political status along with observation in some cases.