Violent conflict and National identity among the Pakistani Pukhtuns (Pashtuns) in Swat Pakistan: A theoretical and empirical exploration

ABSTRACT

Using an extended constructivist position and the case study of Pukhtuns in Swat, Pakistan, this study outlines the interplay between violent conflict (between Muslim Militants and Pakistani state military) and National identity and its markers. The conflict is peculiar; (1) because of the use of Islam by Muslim militants which is an identity marker for Pakistani national identity and Pukhtun ethnic identity, (2) the case of Swat, an ex-princely state integrated only in 1969 in Pakistan with a history of religious violent mobilizations. Further, as Pakistani state has been facing problems with the process of national integration of its multiple ethnicities, the case of national identity becomes significant to be explored The study argues that the impacts of conflict and violence on national identity are complex and multi-dimensional. National identity is neither lost nor reaffirmed, yet as a result of the violent conflict. The article explores the impacts of violent conflict for religion (Islam), State institutions (military), discourses (of pride, sacrifice, and complains) and national symbols (holidays) as markers of National Identity in Pakistan through a fieldwork in Swat from November 2016 to May 2017 and later in November 2021.

KEYWORDS:

• National identity
• violent conflict
• Pukhtuns
• Pashtuns
• Pakistan

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Pukhtuns, Pukhtuns, Pashtuns or Pathans are Pashto speaking ethnicity.

2 Wali is an Arabic term meaning a guardian, leader, authority, or authorized agent.

3 http://www.pakp.gov.pk/2013/members-directory/by-districts/; http://www.pakp.gov.pk/2013/membersdirectory/by-districts/

4 Swat is a district in the Malakand Division of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan and according to the census of 2017 its population is 2,309,570 (PBS, 2017).

5 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/swat-city-center-from-bloody-square-to-business-hub/1485037

6 Abbreviated mostly as VDC, Village Defence Committees were committees formed by the Pakistani state, mostly comprised of local leaders supportive of the Pakistani state.

7 Deobandis are a sub-sect of Sunnis who follow the Hanafi school of thought in Islam.

8 Barelvis are also a sub-sect of Sunnis. They follow the Hanafi and Shafe’i schools of thought with extreme Sufi influence.

9 Religious leaders.

10 People from Swat.

11 Islamic religious law that is based on traditional practices, especially of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

12 The date of birth (25th of December) and death (11 September) of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (mostly called the Quaid-e-Azam) and the date of birth of Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet (9 November) are some other important days that are commemorated.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Ernst Mach Grant, weltweit, OeAD [grant number ICM-2020-00025].

Notes on contributors

Syed Wasif Azim

Syed Wasif Azim, post-doctoral research fellow, Department of Political Science, University of Innsbruck, Austria (Funded through a grant by OeAD, Austria). Currently he is head of the department History and Political Science, in Ghazi university, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. [email protected]/[email protected]

Muhammad Usman Shakir

Muhammad Usman Shakir is a peace worker, peace researcher, a passionate academic and a poet/scriptwriter. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. His research mainly focuses on peace and conflict studies, gender and Islam, history of Shia-Sunni conflict, religion as a tool in fostering conflict, identity politics, Yazidi religion, their historical background, culture and history of their genocides.