Constitutional Flaws: Unrest in Swat 2007-09

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the root cause of terrorism in Swat. It is a case study and qualitative research project. People of Swat suffered heavy human and material losses due to terrorism. The Taliban led by a local cleric; Maulana Fazlullah destroyed educational institutions, banned girls’ education, and watching television besides slaughtering innocent people. One of the causes of this phenomenon, was a constitutional crisis which prevailed in the region since the merger of Swat in 1969. Successive governments failed to integrate it in the national mainstream. On the contrary, authorities have used it as a laboratory for constitutional experiments-promoting discontent and denial of justice.