Abstract
This paper attempts to examine the dynamics of sectarian
conflict in Pakistan in the context of lessons that may be
learned from the Irish experience. The application of
conflict resolution (CR) in the context of Pakistan and
Northern Ireland raises two arguments: First, in both
cases, the resolution of conflict is yet to take place and
second, pending issues seem to be impeding the final
settlement. The CR process in case of Pakistan is more
complicated as unlike Northern Ireleand, where a
substantive agreement in the shape of Good Friday
Agreement (GFA) mediated by the then US President Bill
Clinton in April 1998 exists, no substantive effort has
been made to establish a mechanism for durable peace
between the Shi’a and Sunni communities. Case studies of
the conflicts in the two countries can provide a conceptual
framework for the application of conflict management
(CM) as a viable approach for disengaging the conflicting
parties and allowing them a cooling off period pending a
final settlement. The lessons learned from the management
of the Irish conflict can be of great help to those who are
involved in seeking a better understanding of the sectarian
conflict in Pakistan. These lessons are: first the conflicting
parties have the political will to sit down and talk, second,
adoption of a moderate approach by the Irish Republican
Army and the Unionist party and third, readiness to
accept third party mediation. The Irish example also shows
the way for the transformation of sectarian conflict in
Pakistan from a high to a low intensity conflict.
Moonis Ahmar. (2010) Sectarian Conflict In Pakistan: Some Lessons From The Irish Experience, IPRI Journal, Volume-10, Issue-1.
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