Post on 04-Feb-2020
The 3P Human Security promotes conflict prevention and peacebuilding as human security strategies.www.3Phumansecurity.org
Pakistani civil society is developing a range of innovative approaches to address extremism and conflict in their country to better foster peace. Drawing on local cultural and religious traditions, civil society finds positive ways of building support for peace and human rights. US policy can learn from these indigenous interventions to be more effective at supporting peace in the region. The Strength of Pakistani Civil Society Pakistani civil society conducts a wide variety of peacebuilding efforts, using the traditional jirga system, films, theatre, human rights, health, education and specifically peace education, and many other related efforts. Traditional dispute resolution (TDR) is widely used to discuss critical issues facing communities. Culturally-based Approaches to Peacebuilding in Pakistan • There are traditions in Pakistan’s diverse cultures that have been addressing conflict for centuries. The jirga system, for example, is evolving to include women and to be a place for transforming conflict and fostering reconciliation. But foreigners label this as “alternative dispute resolution” rather than recognizing that tribal “traditional dispute resolution” has a much longer history and greater credibility than state institutions among some Pakistanis. • Drawing on local traditions to support peace makes it easier to work with groups and foster change toward more peaceful relationships between people. The media tends to portray tribal people negatively and they overlook the hospitality and peaceful traditions and governance structures that already exist. • There are many Pakistani civil society organizations that are working on behalf of peace. But Pakistani government or foreign governments do not hear their voices. Funding for and Volunteerism in Pakistani Civil Society Pakistani donors and recipients of peacebuilding efforts fund most Pakistani civil society efforts. Many Pakistani NGOs feel they cannot take funding from USAID because it would cause them to lose trust and legitimacy with local communities. Pakistanis have a long history of volunteerism and charity to others. The increase of funding for Pakistan NGOs is impacting local culture, lessening the sense of volunteerism. Civil society is becoming an “aid industry” and only “program implementers” of Western donors who develop their own projects. But these projects do not often resonate with local groups. This is an issue that needs to be discussed jointly with donors like USAID and Pakistani civil society.
Policy Brief June 2012
Culturally-‐based Peacebuilding in Pakistan
The 3P Human Security promotes conflict prevention and peacebuilding as human security strategies.www.3Phumansecurity.org
Impact of US Policy on Pakistani Civil Society Efforts • US military policy in Pakistan of using drones attacks is fueling more militancy, making it more difficult for those groups working for moderation. • Local people tend to view U.S. government, military, and contractors as immune from Pakistani rules and laws and unresponsive to democratic demands and accountability. People perceive this as double standards for US and Pakistani rules. This perception undermines US efforts to support democracy and moderation. Local people say US military “actions” speak louder than “words.” • Government and US attention to extremists justifies either ignoring or repressing the voices of moderate Pakistani civil society who have a vision of democracy and peaceful relations between groups. Other Factors Driving Violence in Pakistan Forces from outside Pakistan support militant extremism on FM radio and in some of the school systems. These outsiders are winning the “war of ideas” because the voices of moderation do not have the same level of outside support. Lack of public education means that parents do not have the option to send their children to schools that teach acceptance of diversity and the skills for citizenship. Policy Recommendations
1. Begin a strategic dialogue with Pakistani civil society on how to best foster democracy and peace in Pakistan through culturally-‐based approaches. The US can best foster democracy and stability by listening more closely and respectfully to Pakistani civil society.
2. Work with Pakistanis to conduct research on the most successful indigenous initiatives and learn from them.
3. Increase support to Pakistani media and incentivize their coverage of moderate religious leaders and civil society efforts to foster moderation and democratic dialogue. Be careful of Western media’s tendency to portray tribal leaders as violent or primitive. Instead look for the peaceful traditions and leadership and encourage media coverage that features these positive aspects.
4. Recognize that in Pakistani public opinion US military approaches, diplomatic missteps, and perceived double standards in application of laws often undermine and overshadow USAID and diplomatic initiatives. Recognize the vast negative implications of using drones as a policy to contain militant extremists. See also our policy brief on “9 Costs of Drone Strikes.”
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Alliance for Peacebuilding. This policy brief draws on research in Pakistan with dozens of Pakistani lawyers, civil society leaders, and citizens.