Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Social Capital in Dara Adamkhel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the impact of militancy on social capital and its post-conflict reconstruction in Darra Adam Khel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Data was collected through 40 in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with elders, educated individuals, and students of both genders, and analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that militancy catastrophically eroded the region's social fabric. Core sociocultural values like unity, brotherhood, and cooperation were supplanted by individualism and distrust. Key institutions, including the conflict-resolution Jirga and the social hub Hujra, were co-opted or destroyed, losing their traditional authority. A complex gendered impact was observed; while women's status improved through educational access, they remained excluded from economic benefits and traditional justice processes. A generational divide in perceptions emerged, with youth favoring post-merger changes while elders yearned for past traditions. The study concludes that militancy systematically dismantled social capital, requiring a nuanced reconstruction approach. It recommends prioritizing conflict-free development, rebuilding educational infrastructure, and implementing inclusive policies that address the specific losses in trust, institutional integrity, and community cohesion to foster sustainable recovery.

Keywords: Social Capital, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Darra Adam Khel, Militancy, Jirga, Sociocultural Values