Countering terrorism in Pakistan

The POST, Sun, Sep,14, 2008.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

Counter terrorism strategy entails initial focus on correct identification of the major factors causing the terrorists activities in a certain region first and then making efforts to eliminate them with both short and long term strategies. Short term strategies are designed to deal with the terrorists directly either individually or collectively. An attack has to be responded in one form or the other. No country can afford to have its writ challenged by a NGO groups even though they may have been aided and supported by external elements. An individual country’s military response is directly linked with its capability and appropriate trainings.

As far as the collective approach is concerned perhaps the most important aspect in order to have an effective counter terrorism strategy is a better understanding of partners’ motivation followed by a reasonable level of trust. Intelligence sharing, equipping the partner with necessary technology, sparing more troops for the job, effective coordination, and undertaking decisive strikes are some of the tools deemed essential for collective approach. Winning the hearts and minds along with well thought out economic and social development plans for the area people are part of the long term strategy.

The factors causing terrorism are many and varied. Among them perhaps the major factor that facilitates the terrorism is the injustice. An unjust approach whether employed against an individual or a group often tends to breed extreme form of reactive-resentment which eventually finds an outlet in the form of violent acts.

At the international level injustice appears to be part of power politics and the operative international political system. Life within a state is far more regulated than is the situation of the states within the incumbent international political system. The legal systems of almost all states operate quite effectively. While there exists what is called international law in operative international political system, which is often referred as semi-anarchic in nature, there is no enforcement authority. The enforcement process appears to be heavily dependent upon the power and influence of the actors within the operative international political system.

The second factor that gives birth to terrorism is denial. If a commitment is made, it is expected that the parties involved would fulfill their obligations. And if a commitment is made at an international level or in a universal body like the UN, one expects that the involved states or parties would live up to the expectations of the world body.

The third factor that facilitates terrorism is called deprivation and especially if the forcible deprivation takes place it gives birth to seeds of terrorism. Anyone who has been deprived of his legitimate possession, he is likely to try his best to re-secure his lost possession. Deprivation of both the legitimate rights and material possessions cause complexities. Forcible deprivation is sometimes called forcible eviction or forcible displacement. Both cases give birth to resentment. Finally the social and economic inequalities along with widespread poverty also facilitate the advent of terrorism. Poverty gives birth to desperation and desperation could result in unwanted acts.

The turmoil in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine have not only sustained but consistently fuel terrorism. Pakistan, as a populous Islamic country, is a nuclear power that lies at the tri-junction of South, Southwest and Central Asia is seen as a stabilizing force for the entire region. Pakistan’s efforts to curb terrorism pre-date the Sept 11 attacks and in this regard the government of Pakistan has undertaken several political, legislative and administrative measures.

Among these measures include cooperation with the UN, employment of Pakistani troops, apprehending and Killing of Al-Qaeda Terrorists, rooting out Foreign Militants, sharing of Vital Intelligence, banning of Religious Organizations, instituting Madrassah reforms, ban on Hate Literature, syllabus reform, setting up of Tripartite Commission, proposal for fencing and mining of borders, anti- terrorist pacts and extradition treaties, promoting Islamic renaissance, building counter insurgency skills, and active membership of international coalition to combat terrorism etc.

Cognizant of the dangers of terrorism Pakistan is actively participating with both Afghanistan and USA/NATO. In this connection not only Pakistan is extending cooperation but has also evolved its own multi pronged strategy which mainly focuses on negotiation and engagements. The second pillar of this strategy is accelerated economic and social development of the people. Final element is the deployment of force wherever it is deemed necessary.

If one reads the western press, one is bound to get the impression that Pakistan’s tribal area, Swat and Balochistan are all in the grip of turmoil. This is not correct. Admittedly parts of tribal area, some areas of Swat and Balochistan are experiencing difficulties. Any impartial analysis would clearly point that the strategy of incumbent government is making gains.

It needs to assert here that the current Pakistani leadership has made it abundantly clear that the government would do every thing to establish its writ and would not negotiate with the militants who refuse to lay down their arms. The gains of the government that appear to be relatively slower than anticipated but one thing is certainly becoming clearer that the incumbent democratic regime is not only determined to wipe out terrorism in all of its manifestations but also all emerging signs are generating the impressions that it would be able to effectively control the area and eliminate terrorism completely.

For an accelerated elimination process, it is imperative for the major coalition partner like USA to put serious diplomatic efforts in resoling the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan on one hand and encourage joint cooperative pursuits of Pakistan, Afghanistan and NATO on the other in order to stamp out terrorism from the area.
 

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.