President Obama has promised a substantial aid of $1.5 billion per year, for the next five years, to be spent on social development in Pakistan. Sadly, this good news is shadowed by the ongoing, and rising, acts of terrorism in the country, particularly in the NWFP province. Many are of the view that the recent peace deal in Swat, in the form of Nizam-e-Adl, is little more than self-deception; and that the fundamentalists won’t stop until they have taken complete control of the entire country. Is social development a realistic concept in such a scenario?

International organizations working in Pakistan’s tribal belt and southwestern towns have been the target of terrorism for the past several years – the form of terrorism ranging from verbal intimidation to active aggression. Same holds for Swat valley – one of the worst terror-affected areas in Pakistan. Sniper attacks, kidnapping, and bombing have scared the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working for social development of the backward areas. In some areas, terrorists have also targeted government offices and employees. All this hostility has practically stopped the work of social development in areas where it is most needed. The inhabitants of these areas will have only a very minor chance of benefiting from the funds provided for social development.

It makes sense, therefore, to expect increased peace-making efforts on behalf of the international donors in order to pave the path for peaceful development of the restive areas in Pakistan. Plans for long-term peace must be put into effect before moving on to carry out social work in a particular area. Without assuring peace, there is little likelihood of making things better for a significant number of people on a long-term basis. Put it this way: it takes millions of money in funds and numerous hours of hard labor to erect a social welfare center; but a few bombs can daze it down in the twinkling of an eye.