Ungoverned Spaces, their Exploitation and Militancy. A Case Study of the Un-governance of Pakistan's Former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and its Exploitation by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, security threats emanating from the failed states have been the center of scholarly debate, especially when it comes to domestic, regional, and international security. Nevertheless, after the 9/11 attack by Al-Qaeda, the emphasis on security has been significantly shifted to ungoverned areas or territories. This dissertation entitled, "Ungoverned Spaces, their Exploitation and Militancy. A Case Study of the Un-governance of Pakistan's Former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and its Exploitation by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan" addresses the intricate relationship between the ungoverned status of former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan and its implications on the emergence and sustenance of terrorist groups, with a specific focus on the rise and establishment of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the region. Former FATA of Pakistan, which now merged into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province in 2018 resembled the characteristics of ungoverned spaces like those of Africa's Sahel region. The study endeavors to shed light on the historical factors that have contributed to former FATA's persistent ungovernable status since Pakistan's independence and how this vacuum has paved the way for terrorist groups to create fertile ground and a strong...