Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan

When regional and Western media report about terrorism in Pakistan, they frequently and indiscriminately use the labels of 'Pakistani Taliban' and 'Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan' (TPP). However, it remains unclear what is exactly meant by these catchall terms.

Qandeel Siddique in this DIIS Report unpacks the concept of who/what the Tehrik-e-Taliban is. The author discusses individual components of the TTP and the spread of 'talibanization' across Pakistan, and she makes an effort at understanding the organization's strength in terms of recruitment strategy, ideology and financial support. Special attention is given to the prevailing socio-economic conditions and the political history of Pakistan's north-western region as factors giving impetus to the TTP movement.