Pakistan's Troubled History with State-Backed Militias

Maulana Fazlur Rehman has ignited controversy by criticizing an unspecified state policy of forming private militias for local security against terrorists, a move many view as disrespectful to those who have died protecting the nation. However, the broader strategy of empowering local populations in conflict zones against violent actors, particularly in Pakistan, warrants deeper examination. Successive Pakistani governments have employed this tactic across various regions, including East Pakistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), but the policy's consistent failure raises critical questions. The Maulana strategically chose Lahore, Punjab's political center, to ensure his message reached key decision-makers, highlighting widespread discontent with security failures, especially in KP and Balochistan. Locals in areas like Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan are attempting to form self-defense groups against the banned TTP and Hafiz Gul Bahadur's faction, while elders in Quetta have protested state security lapses. The practice of forming state-backed armed groups, known by various names like 'amn committees' or 'lashkars,' has become increasingly unpopular due to past abuses and the state's eventual abandonment of these groups. This abandonment left militia members vulnerable to targeted attacks by terrorist organizations, resulting in significant casualties. Between 2006 and 2015, terrorists launched 220 attacks against militia members in KP, killing 507 and injuring 416, with 77 attacks and 66 deaths recorded in Balochistan. The policy, conceptually similar to the US-backed 'Sunni awakening' in Iraq, initially received state funding, arms, and institutional support, with strong backing from President Asif Ali Zardari, possibly influenced by his wife Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Despite initial successes in providing intelligence and protection, these militias often devolved into abusing authority and committing atrocities, alienating the public. As security forces regained control, the state withdrew support, deeming the groups a financial and operational burden. This withdrawal exposed tactical weaknesses, creating a perception that less structured terrorist groups could challenge state forces, prompting a reassessment of the militia strategy. The erosion of public trust is further compounded by unresolved issues stemming from the Fata merger, including displacement and unfulfilled development funds, exacerbating a sense of abandonment. Concerns have also surfaced in Balochistan regarding the potential recruitment of former Afghan security operatives to replace or merge with local private militias, a move that could empower criminal elements and foreign agents, further fueling mistrust between the state and society.