Mian Muhammad Siddique
Pakistan is fighting terrorism for the last 10 years without much success. The
basic reason of failure is an absence of a comprehensive counter terrorism
strategy which in itself is the result of lack of conceptual clarity, vision,
sincerity of purpose, resolve and selfishness on the part of leadership.
Currently, the peace through negotiations or military operations is very
earnestly being debated somewhat superficially without comprehending the issue
of terrorism and extremism in its entirety. This has created an impression that
the terrorism and extremism will end either by successful talks with, or
military operations against the Taliban.
Taliban are just a factor and not the only factor responsible for the present
state of affairs in the country though their terrorist activities have exceeded
the tolerance threshold and definitely requires immediate and stern action.
However, the exclusive and exploitative Socio-Economic, Religious-Sectarian,
foreign/internal policies and corruption of the rulers since 1947 are the real
causes of the discontentment, frustration, loss of hope and confidence in the
country amongst the masses. This situation created the ideal conditions for the
emergence of TPP and other terrorist groups and acceptance of their
ideology/narrative by a considerable percentage of our population. These
conditions have been successfully exploited by the hostile agencies and foreign
powers for the realization of their vested interests turning Pakistan into the
battle ground of many proxy wars.
For any long term and permanent solution, terrorist acts by TPP/other terrorist
groups and prevailing law and order situation should be viewed within the
overall context of country, s socio-economic conditions, failure of state
institutions, absence of governance and foreign policy issues. Counter terrorism
strategy not addressing the root causes of terrorism and extremism, at best will
be a terror management strategy which may stabilize the situation temporarily.
This is what we have been doing since 2003/2004 without desired results. Counter
terrorism strategy, therefore, should have long term, medium/short term and
immediate strategic objectives, media strategy, relevant foreign policy
objectives and a credible counter narrative.
Long term policy objectives should aim at inclusive and distributive socio-
economic policies, education/madrassa reforms, restructuring of state
institutions, population control/management, elimination of political
interference, speedy and free justice, electoral and judicial reforms and
control of mafias and cartels etc.
Medium/short term objectives should include the police, intelligence agencies
reforms, anti-terrorism legislation inconsonance with threat perception,
creation of a Counter- Terrorism Force (CTF) with integral intelligence
capability, prosecution branch under a unified command structure at the federal
level with authority and capability to operate and act immediately throughout
Pakistan on actionable intelligence. This force must be equipped with the latest
intelligence gathering gadgets and weapons and equipment. The success of CTF
will depend upon the quality of actionable intelligence, its quick reaction
capability, political non- interference and targeting the nexus of corruption,
politically backed and organized crimes and terrorism.
Immediate objective of the counter terrorism strategy must be the elimination of
TPP and other terrorist groups. Should the military operation becomes
inevitable, it should be launched whole heartedly and ruthlessly with clearly
defined military/political objectives and time frame. It must have unambiguous
political ownership with the objective of employment of the army for the minimum
essential duration. District/political administration and civilian law
enforcement agencies must be earmarked/posted, equipped and trained to take over
from the army as soon as possible after the operation, unlike Swat where army is
still tied up even after four years of largely a successful operation. Degree of
success of this operation will depend upon the political/national will,
cooperation from Afghanistan/NATO Forces, management/role of media and the
measures of provincial governments to unearth and apprehend the TPP sleeper
cells/facilitators in the major cities of the country and the required
arrangements for the internally displaced people (IDPs).
Media has become the most important element in shaping the environment and will
play a major role. A proactive media policy must be formed to educate the
people, counter hostile propaganda and disseminate own narrative in a
transparent and credible manner. Media must not provide a propaganda forum to
the terrorists and their sympathizers.
The immediate objective of elimination/weakening of TPP and other terrorist
groups is achievable with the military and police operations in the country.
However, permanent and sustainable solution can only be achieved through the
long term strategic objectives with in an overall National Security Policy which
must address the root causes of terrorism and extremism in the society in its
entirety. This will require national consensus, political/national will and
above all the leadership beyond personal economic/political interests with
vision, capability and determination.
(Mian Muhammad Siddique is a security analyst and freelance columnist)