CHALLENGES IN ESTABLISHING POLICING SYSTEM IN ERSTWHILE FEDERALLY ADMINISTERED TRIBAL AREAS (FATA), PAKISTAN

Abstract

Police is usually perceived as the first and most visible tool and symbol of government. The role of the police department is even more critical in tribal areas of Pakistan where the government and its institutions have limited presence. This qualitative study investigated the various challenges faced by the police department in the newly merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The study used a case study method with in-depth interviews and focused group discussions for data collection from police officers, judicial officers, public prosecutors, lawyers, local community leaders (Maliks), and ordinary residents of District Kurram, where the Government of Pakistan has been struggling to maintain law and order situation. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select the participants with insights into the post-merger policing challenges. The critical issues identified in this study include a lack of physical and administrative infrastructure, insufficient professional training for police personnel, and limited resources, which hinder the effective functioning of the police. In addition, the posting and appointment of non-local Station House Officers (SHOs) create further complexities and mistrust between the police and the local community. This mistrust is compounded by the local people's historical preference for the traditional justice system (Jirga) over the state legal justice system. Additionally, the Disputes Resolution Councils (DRCs) faced myriads of challenges, including a lack of clarity regarding their role and insufficient support, limiting their effectiveness in bridging formal and informal justice systems. This study suggests measures to improve the policing system in the tribal districts.

Keywords:  Policing system, tribal district, infrastructure, training, trust deficit, shortages of police, non-local SHOs, DRC system, community resistance