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
above all the selfishness onthe 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.
This shall not happen unless a comprehensive, all en-compassing National
Internal SecurityPolicy is formulated and implemented in its true spirit.
Taliban are just a factor and not the only factor responsible for the present
state of affairs in the country, though their terrorist activities has 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 TTP and other terrorist groups after US invasion of Afghanistan and
acceptance of their ideology/narrative by a considerable percentage of our
population. These conditions have also 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 TTP/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/domestic 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
situationtemporarily. 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 an ideologicallycredible national narrative.
Long term policy objectives should aim at inclusive and distributive socio-
economic policies, education/madrassa/masjid reforms, restructuring of state
institutions, borders/immigration controls, restricting all refugees to refugee
camps and their repatriation to their respective countries, 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, a
Counter- Terrorism Force(CTF) with integral intelligence gathering capability, a
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
TTP 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 timeframe.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 TTP sleeper
cells/facilitators in the major cities of the country, and theall 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 national 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 TTP 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 termstrategic objectives within 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 sincerity of purpose and determination. Do we have the kind
of leadership we need? Ask yourself, if the answer is yes, we shall win. If not,
Allah help us, but Allah helps those who help themselves.
(The writer is a freelance columnist and can be reached at, [email protected])