Pakistan: Anthropology of Terror

Witness  |  Amarah Niazi, Dec-Feb 2010

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People would think we are used to it by now. Waking up every day with the taste of fear in our mouth and an almost constant feeling of dread in the pit of our stomachs, not knowing what the news from Pakistan would be today. But yes, Pakistani communities in towns and cities across the United States are still not used to hearing about the innocent casualties of war back home.

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Photo: Lahore's Badshahi Mosque by Michael Foley.  

Even more ironic is the fact that people of our generation grew up with the notion of imminent war against people who look just like us, share the same food, enjoy the same music, but wait…they worshiped a different God. War seemed like a justifiable solution to prevent India from annihilating us. But here we are now, 63 years into independence, and we are still fighting an enemy that looks and talks just like us, only this time, they breathe the same kalima (proclamation of faith) and answer to the same God. And they are a million times more vicious and heartless than any enemy with whom Pakistan has ever had to battle.

As an anthropologist in training, I have learned that anthropology is the study of human culture through space and time. Which is why, when people come up to me and ask questions about my state of mind in the wake of the latest bombing or mass killings by militants, I end up wondering what the anthropological profile of my country would look like. Would it showcase the brilliance of four provincial identities coming together in freedom? Would it exhibit the remarkable diversity of urban living in its gradual ascendancy from village immigrant to shehri-babu (city gentry), so transparently visible in every town square?

It’s a country of such astonishing cultural heritage and astounding religious fervor, a social scientist could get lost in the interplay of family, tradition and culture the society has to offer. Why is it then that every reference I make to my homeland turns into a defensive discourse on the reasons behind the cataclysmic rise of violence and terror in our streets? It breaks my heart to realize that the profile I so romantically built—one with smiling faces and brilliant eyes—is tarnished by the images of blown up body parts and charred aftermaths of suicide bombings. 

There is a wealth of research and literature on the global forces that gave rise to, nourished and later abandoned the jihadist elements in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan's history of aligning itself with the West, fighting proxy wars in its name and building an empire of Jihadi fanatics came at the cost of socioeconomic infrastructure building, the growth of a moderate, well balanced middle class and, above all, a peaceful coexistence with the neighbors.

That cost is compounded now as moderate, peace-loving believers in faith are favorable targets for the Taliban that wants territory and political significance for itself after fighting other people's wars; even if it means maligning the name of the very religion for which it had originally picked up arms.

There are several opinions in the scholarly sphere on the shape and characteristics of what I call the ‘Taliban Monster’ in Pakistan. Walid Phares wrote in his op-ed for the wordpress that the ongoing jihadi campaign in Pakistan was a long time in the planning. But as Benazir Bhutto’s secular PPP (Pakistan Peoples Party) claimed electoral victory in 2007, the militant elements had to accelerate their offensive. For the laymen in Pakistan, it is hard to identify Taliban sympathizers and militants from the average Joe on the street. A reference in this regard is Hassan Abbas’ profile of the Taliban elements in FATA described as:

"The transition from being Taliban supporters and sympathizers to becoming a mainstream Taliban force in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) initiated when many small militant groups operating independently in the area started networking with one another. This sequence of developments occurred while Pakistani forces were spending the majority of their resources finding "foreigners" in the area linked to al-Qa`ida (roughly in the 2002–04 period). Soon, many other local extremist groups, which were banned in Pakistan, started joining the Taliban ranks in FATA — some as followers while others as partners." [1]

International commentators on the subject have long believed that the ‘Talibanization’ of FATA in northern Pakistan has occurred to create a safe sanctuary for Radical Islam. Even local scholars understand that the mullahs of the most radical Salafists on Earth—in partnership with al Qaeda—want to seize Pakistan gradually, with further infiltration. They have been building their "emirate" sanctuary in Waziristan and beyond, while penetrating the intelligence agencies and other segments of the bureaucracy.

I am by no means an authority on Pakistan affairs, but I do stand by the assertion that the Taliban's motive for war is no more in the name of Islam than the United State's motive for war against Iraq was in the name of freedom. These are all turf wars and everybody wants their share of land and prestige. Under questionable leadership and absolute vulnerability against poverty stricken rural youth getting ensnared by the war-mongering fanatics, the future seems bleak for my nation right now. I am however, a firm believer in prayer and it is my urging to God, that Pakistan's story not be that of terror and violence. I wish an everlasting spring and eternal prosperity for my motherland and hope I don't die watching Pakistan exemplify an 'Anthropology of Terror'.