Abstract
After 9/11, Pakistan became a contested zone between the Islamists and new-Islamic insurgent groups for the implementation of Shariah laws. Both groups, despite adherence to two extreme conflicting viewpoints over the issue, developed working relationship owing to the commonality of their purpose against the state and secular parties. This paper attempts to explore and analyse the development of militancy in Swat during MMA government (2002-2007), in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), by keeping in view the MMA's long-term political agenda, the state geo-strategic rhetoric and the structural deficiencies (in the context of centre-province relationship) in the Federation of Pakistan. Despite the state institutions involvement in the promotion of militancy in Swat whether for short or long-term strategic objectives, the MMA's political ineptness or craftiness, whether intentional or unintentional, could not be discounted, in the whole tragedy, which had been staged in the picturesque valley of Swat, during 2007-2009.