Structural violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: How colonial legacies and geopolitical tensions fuel cyclical conflict in NW Pakistan
Original framing: “Five terrorists, two security personnel killed in NW Pakistan” — The Hindu
The Durand Line (1893) and British colonial policies sowed ethnic divisions, while Cold War interventions and the War on Terror entrenched militarization. The 1979 Soviet invasion and subsequent U.S. support for mujahideen created lasting instability. These historical layers are critical to understanding contemporary violence.
The violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not an isolated act of terrorism but the result of colonial legacies, geopolitical interventions, and state repression.
The British Durand Line, Cold War proxy conflicts, and the War on Terror have entrenched militarization, while economic deprivation and political exclusion fuel insurgency. Pashtun tribal structures and customary law offer alternative conflict resolution frameworks, yet these are ignored in favor of militarized solutions. The absence of political autonomy, economic development, and inclusive dialogue perpetuates cycles of violence. Historical parallels in Palestine, Kashmir, and Northern Ireland show that state violence and foreign intervention radicalize marginalized groups. To break this cycle, Pakistan must prioritize political autonomy, economic investment, and human rights accountability, while engaging with marginalized voices like the PTM. International actors must support regional stability over geopolitical interests.