Psycholinguistic Patterns of Security Narratives: International Relations Students and the Role of Pakistan Army in South Waziristan

Abstract

Since 9/11, South Waziristan has remained a turbulent region plagued by militancy, illicit economies, and fragile governance both before and after its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Pakistan Army has played a central role in tackling these challenges through counter-insurgency operations, securitised governance, and reconstruction measures aimed at restoring stability and state authority. This paper examines the diverse narratives articulated by International Relations students hailing from South Waziristan but studying in leading Pakistani higher education institutions. These students construct comparative perceptions of the Pakistan Army’s socio-ethical interventions in South Waziristan in relation to the performance of other militaries globally in addressing similar insurgency-driven contexts. The recent literature provides a backdrop for interpreting student discourses. Findings show that compared with international cases—including Peru, Colombia, Algeria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and the Philippines—local intellectuals and students appreciate the Pakistan Army’s effectiveness in stabilising South Waziristan, thereby assisting in investigating how securitised governance reshapes identity, legitimacy, and future governance pathways in Pakistan’s frontier regions.