Dr. Khan Idris' thought-provoking study, Jirgas: The Pashtun Way of Conflict Resolution, argues that central to understanding Pashtuns requires an understanding of how Pashtuns resolve their conflicts. The role of local leaders in resolving conflicts at different levels is equally important. This book makes a convincing argument that religious clerics (mullahs) unite tribes using Islam as a chiga (a common rallying cause) to raise a tribal lashkar, or war party, against real or perceived invasion, threat from "the infidels," or an occupation force from an "un-Islamic regime." However, the mullahs are incapable of restoring peace afterward.  Dr. Idris suggests that the young local leaders and the mullahs easily mobilize the tribes for war, but the local elites must come forward to restore peace through the jirga process. The influence and prestige of the young leaders and mullahs increase in time of war while those same characteristics of the tribal elites expand in time of peace.  He also explains that the mullahs benefit financially when the tribes are mobilized for religious cause, while the elites are either totally sidelined or are forced out of the decision-making process when a mullah unites a tribe for a religious cause.   A series of case studies in a small village in a Pashtun area of Pakistan are used to make a point that the jirga is a complex process in which the role of Pashtun leaders is critical. A leader's influence and stature normally defines the outcome of a jirga. The study also emphasizes the fact that local super elites, whose influence crosses the tribal boundaries, play a critical role in resolving conflicts involving multiple tribes or individuals from multiple tribes.

Jirgas: The Pastun Way of Conflict Resolution

Khan Idris

Tribal Analysis Publishing

I am writing this book because after reviewing current literature, I noticed there was a big knowledge gap when it comes to understanding the complex nature of Pakistani state and society. This study would fill this gap by presenting an analysis of the Pakistan's complex politics, delicate geo-political dilemma, fragile ethnic balance, religious sensitivities, social and cultural dynamics, political structure, an aggressive media environment, class based educational setup, and complicated leadership composition. The study also analyze state's different centers of powers, cultural diversity, religious and social fissures, and treacherous political landscape. These chapters spell out in details divergence of views between Islamabad and Washington on both strategic assets. Adding on to that debate, in Chapter 11 and 12, a case is made that the COIN strategy, which has been popular in the western circle, is difficult to implement in Pakistan tribal areas and Afghnaistan. These chapters also explain why the militants found safe haven in Pashtun inhabited areas of Pakistan. After presenting these views on nuclear and jihadi issues, I presented detailed make up of Pakistan's tribal areas known as FATA, Baluchistan, and Punjab. This is followed by discussion on Pakistani media, educational system, and social and cultural makeup. Finally, couples of chapters are devoted to identify main problems Pakistan is facing and their possible solutions. Finally, it is concluded that Pakistan is a complex state due to its social, political, religious, and tribal makeup and a unique geo-political environment. Finally, a case is made that the military is the source and the solution of the problems Pakistan is facing.

Pakistan A Complex State

Jumhoori Publications

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Books by Khan Idris

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Khan Idris. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Jirgas: The Pastun Way of Conflict Resolution

Pakistan A Complex State