Prevailing Tribal Conflicts and Its Effects on Economic Well-Being of the People of District Ziarat and Harnai

Abstract

Tribal conflicts/disputes have been recognized as a unavoidable threat to economic growth, stability, and well-being, affecting countries worldwide. These conflicts/disputes disturb economic activities, lead to forced displacement, and result in long-term progressive setbacks. The effect of such conflicts/disputes on socio-economic well-being is mainly severe in areas with fragile economies, where native inhabitants are heavily reliant on agriculture, small scale trades, and traditional incomes. This quantitative study discovers the impacts of prevailing tribal conflicts/disputes on the economic well-being of the people in District Ziarat and Harnai, Balochistan, Pakistan. Using a multi-stage and simple random sampling technique, 200 males and 200 females were selected as respondents for the study. Data was collected through interview schedule and significant statistical analysis was done using uni-variate and bi-variate techniques to examine the impacts of the conflicts/disputes on different economic variables. The study exposes numerous critical outcomes, including unintended migration, ending of businesses, a decline in agricultural production, and important job losses. The respondents also showed a rise in unemployment, increasing poverty levels, inflation, and an increasing dependence on rented housing in areas where evacuated people have relocated. The results propose that the economic costs of tribal conflicts/disputes are far-reaching, affecting rural and urban populations in the district. The study showcauses for widespread peace-building interventions and specific economic recovery approaches to soften the negative impacts of tribal conflicts/disputes on the economy and increase the well-being of the affected groups.