In this clip, Hassan Turi, a documentary photographer and research fellow at the Center for Conflict Studies at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany, explains the ongoing crisis in Kurram and how it fits into a broader pattern of state failure and conflict. He breaks down the cycle of violence, detailing how the 2018 FATA merger dismantled governance structures and created a power vacuum, leading to escalating land disputes that have now turned into a larger political and sectarian crisis.
Turi discusses the state’s selective repression, where peace movements like PTM face crackdowns and arrests, while militant factions operate freely. He also highlights how the military, district administration, and police have all contributed to the chaos—whether through direct involvement, negligence, or outright complicity.
Additionally, he examines social media’s role in radicalizing youth, explaining how platforms like TikTok and Facebook have become tools for spreading hate speech, misinformation, and sectarian propaganda, further fueling violence in the region. Through this conversation, Hassan Turi exposes the structural failures that keep Kurram trapped in a cycle of war, repression, and unrest.
Timestamps:
00:00 ▶ Introduction – The roots of Kurram’s conflict: war, land, and betrayal
03:46 ▶ Cycles of violence: How history repeats itself in Kurram
08:56 ▶ The 2018 FATA merger and its devastating impact
14:23 ▶ The role of the Pakistani state: selective repression, blockades, and military control
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