Conflict Transformation as a Policy Change in South Asia: A Case Study of Balochistan

Abstract

Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Vol. XL, No.3, Spring 2017 Conflict Transformation as a Policy Change in South Asia: A Case Study of Balochistan Moonis Ahmar* Introduction Conflict transformation is an essential part of conflict studies and aims to examine positive and negative transformation of conflict both at inter and intra-state level as a result of change in the interests, attitudes and perceptions of conflicting parties. This paper studies at length the approach of conflict transformation in the context of South Asia and examines the case study of Balochistan. The paper also draws a linkage between conflict transformation and policy change as an opportunity for moving in the direction of stability and peace in various conflict ridden parts of the world. Some of the questions which may be raised in the context of conflicttransformation as a source of policy change are: 1. How can conflict transformation cause positive change in conflict dynamics? 2. How conflict transformation impacted the South Asian conflicts. 3. To what extent state policies can result into positive conflict transformation ? 4. How the case study of Balochistan conflict can help seek a better understanding of conflict dynamics, its transformation and efforts for peaceful resolution. Four major themes examined in this paper are: First, the role of individuals, groups, organizations and states as far as conflict formation and transformation is concerned. Second, the positive and negative transfor57 *Dr. Moonis Ahmar is Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Meritorious Professor at the University of Karachi. He is also Director, Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. From April 2010 till February 2012, Dr. Ahmar was a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program) Visiting Fellow, Conflict Studies and Management Program, Wills Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt. He is the author of Conflict Management and Vision for a secular Pakistan: A comparative Study which was recently published by the Oxford University Press. 58 mation of conflict emanating from the absence of dialogue, breakthrough in the process of negotiations, seizing the ripe moment or the window of opportunity. Third, changed perceptions and positions of major stakeholders in conflict about the existence and dynamics of conflict and finally, mending of fences because of the disappearance of major actors in conflict. All the four themes will be examined in the context of conflict in Balochistan. A better understanding of conflict transformation would require four major components. First, the historical nature of conflict. Second, issues which are responsible for transforming from a peaceful to a violent conflict. Third, how the interests, attitudes and perceptions of parties involved in a conflict matter. Fourth, the ground realities and environment which influence the dynamics of conflict. These four components also include the role of state and society in managing or escalating a particular conflict. The literature on conflict transformation depicts how the writers view transformation process at four levels: individual, group, states and organizations . Furthermore, transformation of role and actors also significantly contribute towards seeking a better understanding of conflict. According to Peter Wallensteen in his book, Understanding Conflict Resolution War, Peace and the Global System, “concepts like conflict transformation and peacebuilding bring us into a wider array of concerns. They are all important for the durability of the settlement and the creation of new, ‘normal’ conditions.1 ” Another vivid explanation of conflict transformation is given by John P. Lederach in his study which argues that conflict transformation can also be defined in terms of ‘constructive change processes’ as “it emphasizes the capacity of the transformation of approach to building new things. Conflict transformation begins with a central goal: to build constructive change out of the energy created by conflict. By focusing this energy on the underlying relationships and social structures, constructive changes can be brought about. The key here is to move conflict away from destructive processes and toward constructive ones. The primary task of conflict transformation is not to find quick solution to immediate problems, but rather to generate creative platforms that can simultaneously address surface issues and change underlying social structures and relationship patterns beyond intractability.2 ” Creative platform, as suggested by 1 Peter Wellensteen, Understanding Conflict Resolution War, Peace and the Global System (London: Sage publications, 2002...