This document summarizes the findings of a perception survey on reconciliation in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The survey was conducted across 6 districts and involved 2000 households and 180 key informants. It aimed to establish a credible data baseline on the current status of reconciliation and inform stakeholder programs. Key findings included that the conflict was largely driven by external factors exploiting local socioeconomic weaknesses rather than existing conflicts. Impacts included damage to infrastructure and livelihoods as well as psychological trauma. Reconciliation will require changes to state policies, reducing gaps between institutions and people, poverty alleviation, education, and economic opportunities to sustain peace in the long run.

1. Perception Survey on
Reconciliation
in Malakand Division

2. Objectives
To serve as the baseline of the
To establish a credible data
current status against which
that will help stakeholders to
different benchmarks will be
formulate informed
drawn
programmes
To draw information that will assist the
stakeholders, including UN and
government, in developing possible peace &
conflict scenarios for appropriate and timely
response.

3. Locale
The survey was conducted in 6 districts of
Malakand Division

4. Methodology
• Review of existing literature
1
• Consultation with Stakeholders
2
•Combination of quantitative and qualitative
tools/methods was used to explore the perceptions
3 about reconciliation in the region)

5. Sample Size
Quantitative
2000
household
Qualitative
180 Key
informants

6. District Population (in 000) Household Key Influencer
Buneer 729 253 30
Lower Dir 1068 371 30
Upper Dir 795 276 30
Malakand 669 232 30
Shangala 636 221 30
Swat 1862 647 30
Total 5759 2000 180

7. Findings of the
Consultative Workshop

8. Reasons of conflict
Women Men
Lack of awareness about Islam Socio-economic adversities
Failure of state organs
Inclination towards Shariah
Lack of women’s rights and Religion taboos
economic opportunities
Social exclusion of
Lack of female representation poor, women etc
in Jirgah system
Foreign involvement
Taliban exploitation
War of profit among the
Misuse of media stakeholders

9. Impacts of Conflict
Women Men
Disrupted social fabric Psycho-social disorder
Mistrust Destruction of state
infrastructure
Damage to the Rebellion
infrastructure
Loss of human lives
Loss of livestock

10. Reconciliation
Women Men
Awareness (about Islam and human rights), In this conflict the perpetrator cannot not be
education (for all), Justice (for all), Better and identified hence we cannot punish the
improved laws, child protection centres, perpetrator therefore the victim has to be
more education institutions and vocational compensated with fairness. The resources
centers for women.” should be evenly distributed.
Even distribution of resources Reconciliation is to identify and punish those
who have been backing Talibans but since
they were rich they have not been punished.
Poverty alleviation and Provision of Women It is a process of bringing economic equality
rights in the society and building trust based on
forgiveness and understanding.
(participatory approach, compensation,
health, education, housing)
Establishment of home industry and Resolve a dispute, issue, conflict through an
economic opportunities for women agreed upon and judicious give and take
process
Bridging gaps between madrassas and
schools

11. Field Findings

12. Perception about Conflict
• Conflict did not exist among the local
population rather external factors
were the major cause of conflict.
• Weak socio-Economic factor of the
Malakand Division was exploited by
External forces.

13. Reasons of the Conflict
Extremisms
US and Afghan &
War Fundamentalism
External
factors
Resources
Interest of the
stakeholders
Destabilization
of Pakistan

14. Discrepancies exploited
The sectors which were exploited by Militants
(Taliban).
Religion
Justice
Socio-economic
factors

15. Religion
“Our people have strong religious sentiments
which were manipulated and exploited”
The main reason for the conflict was lack of
awareness and knowledge about religion. The
militants have very less knowledge of the religion
(Islam) and they imposed and introduced their
views as religious teachings)

16. Justice
Provision of Justice; Affordable, quick and
according to Islamic laws were promised
“They would announce that those women who are
not married and wants to get married to the man of
their choice should consult Militants for arranging
their marriage (in case the family of the woman was
not willing). Moreover those who couldn’t find a
suitor were married to one of the Militants from the
group”

17. Socio- Economic
Youth had no opportunities for employment
etc. despite being educated. Youth faced
unemployment hence the militants
provided them with jobs (join force of
Militants) and money
Militants would give money to poor and
young for killing and kidnapping people for
ransom. list of people to be killed was
announced by the Militants on FM radio.
They were found dead on the roads the
following day.

18. Impacts

19. Impact of Conflict
The most impacted segment of the society
includes
1. Children and Youth
2. Women
3. Poor

20. Impacts
1. Damage to the infrastructure
• Education
• Health
• Water and Power Supply Line
2. Security
3. Sources of Income
4. Migration
5. Psychological issues

21. Security After the Conflict
Feel secure in presence of Army Feel secure in presence of police
98%
99% 98%
100% 93% 92%
90% 78%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Buneer Lower Dir Malakand Shangla Swat Upper Dir

22. Source of Income
Agricultural/ LIvestock Govt. Servant Pvt.Servent
Business Labour Skill Labour
Remittances Don't know
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10% Buneer Lower Dir Malakand Shangla Swat Upper Dir

23. Trend of Migration During the Conflict
100%
90%
80%
80%
69% 70%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20% 20%
20%
11%
10%
0%
Buneer Lower Dir Malakand Shangla Swat Upper Dir

24. Impact on Psychological Condition
Psychological effect on Women Psychological effect on Children
100%
90% 90%
90%
80%
70%
70%
60% 60%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
%
Buneer Lower Dir Shangla Swat Upper Dir

25. Reconciliation

26. Perception about reconciliation
Reconciliation is not possible
in the region because it
happens between the two
parties. While in this case one
party is missing, as conflict
was due to the external factor
Reconciliation seems to be
very difficult because we are
unaware that who the
reconciliation party is? and on
what grounds reconciliation
should be done. Who should be
trusted?”

27. Interesting Finding
Key informants mentioned that people who tried to reconcile in
the beginning were either killed or threatened. People are scared
of the Militants return and they seldom want to talk about
reconciliation with them rather they prefer that the government
provides them security at all levels such as physical, legal, social
and economic

28. Terms of reconciliation

29. Factors Buneer Lower Dir Malakand Shangala Swat Upper Dir
Change in state policies 43 160 33 32 146 46
Reducing gap between 36 7 32 16 99 132
state institution and
people
Poverty alleviation 81 118 76 99 197 91
Provision of social 24 7 29 24 28 36
services
Creating livelihood 17 25 39 21 43 14
opportunities
Involvement of youth in 23 13 12 9 56 11
productive activities
Check and balance on 30 33 4 14 89 26
media for positive use
Others 1 6 4 6 25 8

30. Ensuring peace sustainability
in the region

31. Indicators
Improvement in
Social life
Social Behavior Provision of
Justice
Peace
Sustainability
Awareness about Economic
Religion opportunities
Awareness about
Education
HR

32. 80.0
District wise preference of peace indicators
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Buner Lower Dir Malakand Shangla Swat Upper Dir
Improvement in Social Life Provision of Justice
Provision of economic opportunities Education
Awareness about religion Social Behavior (tolerance and cooperation)

33. Thank You