Radicalization as a Result of Pakhtuns’ Resistance in the Wake of War against Terror

Zafar Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan & Noor Sanauddin

Abstract
This study is focused on the reinforcing factors of radicalization in Pakhtun society particularly in the wake of the current counter-terrorism strategies. It has been generally believed that poverty, illiteracy, the lake of democratic institutions and religious ideologies are reinforcing radicalization in Pakhtun society. It is argued in this article that Pakhtuns’ resistance against the existing counter-terrorism strategies of USA and Pakistan also further fuels its process
in this belt. We argue that the excessive use of force of coalition forces against terrorism in Pakhtun tribal society does not recourse to the prevalent cultural values. Resultantly, the current counter terrorism strategies not only have become ineffective, but have resulted in more radical trends among the Pakhtuns of the tribal areas of Pakistan.

Keywords: Terrorism, Pakhtunwali, Pakhtuns Resistance, Radicalization