"Terrorism" has been defined as
an organized system of intimidation or the practice of using violence to obtain
political demands. But in the world of today this word has acquired deeper and
wider meanings. Now terrorists indulge in suicide bombing, mass murders,
burglaries, arson, hijacking, kidnapping, for ransom money, and torture of the
worst order. All this is happening not in some particular country but almost all
the countries of the world are facing the most horrible threat of violence.
Terrorism are operating with impunity with no regard to justice or injustice.
Isn't this the social and political milieu we are living in today? In Pakistan,
terrorism has assumed a frightening form. Every day the newspapers carry
horrible stories of organized violence, murders, bomb blasts, rapes corruption,
torture and brutality. People are now divided along the lines of ethnicity,
sect, tribe, clan and biradari-based politics. Pessimism, mistrust, animosity
and cynicism are rampant. Vast areas of the country are beyond the pale of the
law. This deplorable and alarming situation demands serious and sincere
consideration and some instant solution. But before trying to find out some
viable solution to this problem we must analyze the factors that are causing
this evil to spread so rapidly and widely. In Pakistan there are three main
causes of terrorism: Political, religious and economic. More than 80% of our
population is illiterate. They cannot distinguish between good and bad. So they
can easily fall a prey to temptation or intimidation. Our selfish and
power-hungry politicians take advantage of their simplicity and stupidity. They
put such slogans in their mouth as help them achieve only their vested interests
negating the larger interests of the people or the country. Mushroom growth of
the political parties have worsened the situation. People have been divided into
small political, religious or regional groups. They are made to fight with one
another on the ground of just petty issues. Similar is the game that some
so-called religious leaders are playing with the religious emotions of the
innocent but ignorant people.
The solution is very simple. First we need to understand that there is a
difference between extremist and terrorist, it is not necessary that all the
extremist are terries. Extremist may have the tendency towards the terrorism. In
every society you will find extremist elements, people with biased and strict
view with no flexibility, even in western society. so it could be a religious
extremist or secular extremist. so we should not treat both with same stick
yard. so the situation demands the immediate policy review. keep in mind that
strict action and weapon should only be use against the bad elements. not on
everyone, even though they disagree with your view point. Use the reasoning,
logic and dialogue with extremists, by listening the view point and resolving
their fair concerns. In this way your can filter out their tendency towards the
terrorism. The following are key steps, should be taken on immediate basis, to
isolate the terrorist elements from the society and establish state's writ and
peace in the society.
First step: (Establish Rule of Law) - win the hearts & minds of the people by
introducing quick reforms in the existing bureaucratic structure & mindset. Gain
people confidence by giving them speedy, fair justice at their door step,
eradicate the corruption within the system. In this way you bring people to your
side. once you are successful in bringing the people on your side, we can easily
point out the bad guys and eradicate them with the support of the people. We
need to ensure people, through our actions, that we are a sovereign country and
our national and foreign policies are purely based on national and people's
interest. at the same time we can negotiate & deal with our neighbors and
international community through mutual respect and interest by resolving their
concerns through diplomatic ways.
2nd Step (Educational & development reforms):- Bring on board all the religious
scholars and civil society, educate people and initiate open debate on various
platforms to inform people about the true democratic values, and convey people
about the true meaning of jihad. convince them through logic and reasoning that
all type of private jihad group and Malaysia’s are not allowed in Islam. One
educational system needs to be introduced. All the private, religious or non
religious institutions needs to be under state supervision and must be
registered under state educational board. Educate people that only way to
achieve your aims and goals should be only through democratic process not
through force or any other means.