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.