Socio-Economic impacts of War on Terror in Tribal Areas of Pakistan:

After the September 11, 2001 attacks on the USA and the subsequent bomb attacks in Bali, Madrid and London, a particular perception of the phenomenon, known today as “terrorism” has become prevalent. This witnessed the worst brutal assaults on the very idea of modern civilization.

The tribal areas located at the border of Pakistan are a burning spot in this game between Al-Qaeda and America. The issue is global in its worst ever implications in social and economics terms for the people of the tribal territory. Though there is an optimistic side, however it’s undermined by the negative fallouts. The on-going tension in the tribal areas is infecting the continuation of the cold war between America and Soviet Russia. After 9/11, the story took a new shape. The former Mujahiddin termed by America as Holy warriors are now labeled as terrorists. American response was bombing Afghanistan.

“In the tribal belt, Al-Qaeda and retreated Taliban perfectly capitalized on the conservative and Islamic minded tribals. Within few months, they garnered a titanic support from the locals. The ideologically charged tribals started paying when Pakistan under its on compulsion both from within and from outside started operation against Al-Qaeda and Taliban in 2004. People migrated to safer places in the adjacent settled areas. In long run, this social mobility of the locals is not only going to alter the demography but prevailing culture as well.”[1]

This has resulted in an increasing gap between the militants and the society of the tribal belt. These developments have gotten a huge proportion which has taken in its fold many other social values of the people of the areas. Recreational activities like music and cultural dances are banned. The traditional dance ‘Attun’, which is a channel for bringing people together, being banned, is drifting the society towards the sphere of disruption.

“The situation in Federally Administrated Areas (FATA) of Pakistan remains very explosive due to perpetual violence, arm conflicts and military operations. Historically, these areas have been harbinger of drug trade, but after 9/11 have emerged as the focal point of ‘war against terrorism’. Social and economic development of these areas has never given a serious thought by successive governments in Pakistan

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