Promoting Peace and Interfaith Harmony: Role of Rural Support Programmes in Tharparkar, Pakistan
Keywords:
Interfaith Harmony, Peacebuilding, Tharparkar, Social Mobilisation, Religion, Rural Support ProgrammesAbstract
Fostering peaceful coexistence is crucial for societal cohesion in multifunctional communities. Over the last 30 years, Rural Support Programmes (RSPs) have made considerable progress in conflict resolution, reaching across various segments of society, and supporting social integration in Pakistan which has helped lower community conflict over time. This study focuses on the contribution of RSPs towards peacemaking and interfaith harmony. Using a mixed-methods approach, it specifically examines patterns of interreligious cohabitation and socio-cultural accommodation between Hindus (Dalits) and Muslims in Tharparkar, Sindh, through a functionalist framework of interdependence. The research finds that while divergent viewpoints persist on both sides, RSP’s neutral and inclusive approach enhances mutual understanding and respect. By embedding equity into their policies, such initiatives create space for constructive engagement without erasing distinct identities.
JEL Classification Codes: Z12, D74, O18, Z13, O53
Submitted: Sep 24, 2024
Last Revised: July 14, 2025
Accepted: Aug 12, 2025
Conflict of Interest: The Authors declared no Conflict of Interest
Acknowledgment: No administrative and technical support was taken for this research.
Funding: No funding was received for this research
Downloads
References
Abbasi, B.N., Yang, C. and Sohail, A. 2023, ‘Uncovering Basic Educational Skills and Intelligence among Women and Children in Rural Pakistan, SN Social Sciences, vol. 3, e116, 12 July, <https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00711-w>.
Ahmed, A.S. 1988, Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Burton, J.W. 1987, Resolving Deep-rooted Conflict: A Handbook, Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
Cantrill, J.G. 1998, ‘The Environmental Self and a Sense of Place: Communication Foundations for Regional Ecosystem Management’, Journal of Applied Communication Research, vol. 26, no. 3, pp.301–318, <https://doi.org/10.1080/00909889809365509>.
Christian, J., Gadfield, N.J., Giles, H. and Taylor, D.M. 1976, ‘The Multidimensional and Dynamic Nature of Ethnic Identity’, International Journal of Psychology, vol. 11, no. 4, pp.281–291, <https://doi.org/10.1080/00207597608247363>.
Engelbrecht, A.K., Lotze, W. and Bronkhorst, S.V.J. 2009, Natural Resources, the Environment and Conflict, African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), 19 November, <https://www.accord.org.za/publication/natural-resources-the-environment-and-conflict/>.
Ercelawn, A. and Nauman, M. 2004, ‘Unfree Labour in South Asia: Debt Bondage at Brick Kilns in Pakistan’, Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 39, no. 22, pp. 2235–2242.
Fearon, J.D. and Laitin, D.D. 1996, ‘Explaining Interethnic Cooperation’, American Political Science Review, vol. 9, no.4, pp.715-735, <https://doi.org/10.2307/2945838>.
Haigler Bailly 2016, 330 MW Coal-Fired Power Plant in Energy Park, Block II, Thar Coalfields: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Final Report, Volume 1 of 2, HBP Ref.: R6V04HUP, <https://urckarachi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EIA-report-vol-1-330MW-Thar-Energy-HubPower-Company-2.compressed.pdf>.
Hasan, A. 2010, ‘Migration, Small Towns and Social Transformations in Pakistan’, Environment & Urbanization, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 33–50, <https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247809356180>.
Humphreys, M. 2005, ‘Natural Resources, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution’, Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol. 49, no. 4, pp.508–537, <https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002705277545>.
Ihsan, H.N. 2001, Thar, the Great Pakistan Desert: Land, History, People, Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications.
Khan, M. 2020, ‘Designing Multilingual Classrooms: The Case of Tharparkar’, The Cutting Edge, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1-21.
Khan, S. 2007, ‘Negotiating the Mohalla: Exclusion, Identity and Muslim Women in Mumbai’, Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 42, no. 17, pp.1527–1533.
Leao, I. 2020, Implementation Completion and Results Report (ICRR) Document – Indus Eco Region Community Livelihood Project (IECLP) – P146252, Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group, <https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1263546/implementation-completion-and-results-report-icr-document/1838143/>.
Makki, M., Collins, C. and Akhtar, S. 2015, ‘Hindu and Muslim Coexistence in Tharparkar: Implications for Development and Social Dynamics’, The Extractive Industries and Society, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 276–286.
Mancini, L. 2008, ‘Horizontal Inequality and Communal Violence: Evidence from Indonesian Districts’, In: F. Stewart, ed. Horizontal Inequalities and Conflict: Understanding Group Violence in Multiethnic Societies, London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 106-135, < https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230582729_6>.
Memon, P.A., Kalhoro, M.R., Tariq, K., Sindhu, P. and Shaikh, S. 2022, ‘Socio-Economic Impact of the Interest-free Community Investment Fund: A Case Study of Rural Sindh, Pakistan’, Economies, vol. 10, no. 1, p.18, <https://doi.org/10.3390/economies10010018>.
Mines, M. 1972, ‘Muslim Social Stratification in India: The Basis for Variation’, Southwest Journal of Anthropology, vol. 28, no. 4, pp.333–349, <https://doi.org/10.1086/soutjanth.28.4.3629316>.
PBS 2023, Population Census 2023-7th Population and Housing Census, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Government of Pakistan, <https://www.pbs.gov.pk/digital-census/detailed-results>.
PPAF 2012, Assessment of Measuring Impact of PPAF Interventions using Pakistan Poverty Scorecard, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, <http://www.ppaf.org.pk/doc/programmes/4-ReportOnPSC.pdf>.
Sayeed, A. and Hasan, S.H. 2021, Rural Livelihood Programs in Pakistan: Lessons from the Past as Guide to the Future, Research and Development Collective, October, <http://www.old.researchcollective.org/Documents/SAYEED_2022_SARL_Pakistan_Final_May_22.pdf>.
Stewart, F. 2009, Horizontal Inequalities as a Cause of Conflict, Bradford Development Lecture, University of Bradford, November, <http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/bcid/seminar/BDLStewart.pdf>.
Suthar, A. 2012, Inventory of Resources in Tharparkar. 1st ed. Mithi, Pakistan: Sukaar Foundation [online], Available at: <https://openlibrary.org/books/OL30705767M/Inventory_of_resources_in_Tharparkar>. [Accessed 3 July 2025].
Wimmer, A., Cederman, L-E. and Min, B. 2009, ‘Ethnic Politics and Armed Conflict: A Configurational Analysis of a New Global Data Set’, American Sociological Review, vol.74, no.2, pp.316-337, <https://doi.org/10.1177/000312240907400208>.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Roomi S. Hayat
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
