Constitutional Spaces for Leadership in FATA: Analysis of Leadership Crisis and Conflict Management

Abstract

The prevailing conflict in FATA requires sophisticated mechanism of conflict management provided by the socially established local leadership. But unfortunately many of the social and traditional leaders [masharaan or elders] have become victims of target killing since the advent of militancy in FATA. The killing of masharaan has created a leadership crisis that has negatively impacted conflict management process in the region. Reviving and reestablishing the institute of masharaan in a tribal society is a lengthy process where the nominated elder has to prove his wisdom over many years. Therefore, the prevailing violent conflict requires as an immediate response a leadership institution to provide an indigenous pattern of conflict management to end the crisis. The electoral politics has provided opinion makers and leaders who articulate people’s interests. The constitution of the country gives the role of creating leadership on electioneering process. Though Article 247 (3) of the constitution restricts the national parliament from legislating directly for FATA, but the society in FATA has evolved through election process over the years. This study bring forth all the aspects of local leadership in the current discourse of violence in FATA. It strives to find answers to questions like: can the newinstitution of electioneering bring forth genuine leadership in FATA? or while searching for solutions what possible role can the state play in the process? This research will analyze the capability of new leadership that has evolved through electoral politics to manage conflict in the northwestern region of Pakistan. It adopts a conflict management approach to provide sociological perspective on the war on terror affected areas of FATA. ______