When the colony of British India was partitioned into one predominantly Muslim state (present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh) and one predominantly Hindu state (present-day India) in 1947, communal riots and massive refugee flows followed. Pakistan quickly became embroiled in a border conflict with India; a state of affairs that dominated the country’s first 60 years as a sovereign state. Fluctuating between democratic politics and dictatorships, Pakistan has also experienced intra-state armed conflict, with the eastern provinces succeeding to form Bangladesh in 1971 and the Baluchistan area fighting for independence (an insurgency that has escalated in recent years). Other intra-state conflicts have largely been over the form of governance in Pakistan and several violent crises (with ethnic, territorial, political, or religious divides) are currently occurring. The country is currently experiencing two active wars; one limited war with India and one full-scale intrastate conflict with Islamist militant groups. Pakistan and India’s conflict over international power, resources, and specifically the Kashmir region escalated in recent years.
In the past three years, there were over 10,000 cases of ceasefire violations in Kashmir. In February 2019, the Pakistani militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked Indian military forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. These terrorist groups often operate freely in Pakistan and have escalated their presence in Kashmir in the past couple years. In response, Indian fighter jets bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed bases. In August 2020, India nullified Articles 370 and 35A, revoking the special status and autonomy of Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan responded by temporarily suspending bilateral ties with India.
On an intra-state level, fighting began in 2007 between the Pakistan government (supported by the USA) and armed groups that promoted the removal of the Pakistani state and the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in its place. Despite an ongoing peace dialogue, the conflict over national power and the orientation of the political system has left thousands dead. Islamist militant groups involved include al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Islam (LI), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Haqqani Network, and, most prominently, the Tehrike-Taliban (TTP) and its newly emerged splitter groups.
Peace attempts:
Before the situation escalated again in 2014, the previous clash between India and Pakistan had ended in 2003 through a ceasefire, but the issue was not resolved. With a limited war breaking out last year, tensions between the two countries were higher than they have been in ten years. In 2014, the Pakistani Prime Minister expressed his desire to overcome the mutual distrust of both countries by fostering peace, however, India called off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan due to Pakistan’s High Commissioner meeting with a Kashmiri separatist leader. Pakistan’s Foreign Office urged India to allow the UN military observer group UNMOGIP to visit their side of the Line of Control (LoC), which India refused.
On an intra-state level, peace talks have been equally unsuccessful, with several attempts failing to stop the Pakistani government’s conflict with Islamist militant groups. Throughout 2014, several groups split off the umbrella organization TTP because of internal disagreements over peace negotiations with the government. There has been a dramatic decrease in TTP violence since 2014, yet it continues to pose a major threat.
The UNHCR is also active in Pakistan, attempting to assist with refugee and IDP issues. After consistent violations of the 2003 ceasefire arrangements, India and Pakistan agreed to re-commit to the arrangement in February 2021 following escalated conflicts and violence in Jammu & Kashmir. Kashmiri citizens remain skeptical regarding its efficacy and longevity. In June 2022, peace talks were mediated by the Afghan Taliban and conducted between Pakistan security officials and the TTP, leading to a temporary ceasefire. This was a positive development in combating intrastate conflict in Pakistan, yet terrorist attacks continue to pose a significant threat to the country and its neighbors.
