FATA Merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Advancing Gender Equality and Socio-Economic Parity

The merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in 2018 represents a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s efforts to integrate one of its most historically marginalized regions into the national socio-political and economic framework. This transition holds significant implications for gender mainstreaming and socio-economic equality, particularly as FATA had long been governed by the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which perpetuated legal, social, and economic exclusions, especially for women. The merger offers the promise of extending KP's legal protections, such as laws on gender equality, alongside access to education, healthcare, and political participation for women. However, persistent security challenges, particularly from militant groups like the TTP, complicate the implementation of these reforms. The TTP’s resistance to integration has not only undermined governance structures but also exacerbated the vulnerability of women to violence and socio-economic marginalization. This paper adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining a review of existing literature, analysis of policy documents, and interviews with local stakeholders to assess the impact of the merger on gender equality and socio-economic development. The literature suggests that while the merger provides a framework for addressing disparities, the entrenched cultural norms, ongoing insecurity, and slow implementation of legal and infrastructural reforms present significant barriers. This study highlights the need for targeted policies, robust governance, and a focus on women's empowerment to fully realize the transformative potential of the merger for FATA’s women and its overall socio-economic development.