Abstract
This paper investigates whether FATA is an ungoverned territory or not? And if yes, then why and how it is posing threat to the security of Pakistan and the region in general. It is based on analysis of FATA as an ungoverned territory that poses threat to domestic and regional security and stability. Since Cold War, the focus of scholars remained on threat emanating from failed states to the regional and international security. Recently, this focus has been shifted to ungoverned territories within viable states. Today it is believed that security problems, such as militancy, terrorism, insurgency, civil conflicts, humanitarian crises, refugee flows, drug smuggling, and piracy are originating from these territories due to the absence or collapse of state authority. Since 9/11, the problem of dealing with ungoverned territories has taken on increased urgency because terrorists and militants are using these sanctuaries present in the remote regions of the world for launching devastating attacks. A two pronged theoretical framework has been adopted for this paper, firstly identifying and gauging whether FATA is an ungoverned territory or not? And secondly, the paper analyzes various attributes under dimensions of un-governability and conduciveness of FATA as ungoverned territory posing security threats. Finally, the paper derives the implications of the analysis for Pakistani state control to deal with FATA. The paper presents strategies to improve the Pakistani state ability to mitigate these effects, in particular, to reduce the threat posed by terrorists operating within or from FATA.