Sheikh Munib ur Rehman
Combating Terrorism in Pakistan
After 9/11, the world has changed and started realizing the painful effects of terrorism and its disastrous consequences. As a result, there is a rise of literature on the subject of terrorism and its objectives. One opinion is that terrorism is the result of education, while others opine that it is the logical result of education of Madrassah in which hatred against other sects is taught religiously. However, it is important to note that it is an oversimplification to conclude in such a way. It is multi-dimensional in approach, context-specific, and geo-political goals. We need to analyze crucial aspects, like socio-economic conditions, how terrorism changes the behaviour, the force of ideology and strategies of terrorist groups.
As per the report of the Global Terrorism Index, South Asia remains the region with an average GTI score in 2022. The region recorded 1,354 deaths from terrorism in 2022, a decrease of 30% compared to 2021. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain amongst the ten countries most affected by terrorism in 2022. Although the Taliban had taken power, terrorist operations dropped by 75% and deaths by 58%. Afghanistan ranked first in GTI for the fourth year in a row as the most inflicted country by terrorism. Deaths in Pakistan rose significantly to 643 in 2022, a 120% increase from 292 deaths in 2021 and nine times higher than 2021 terrorism deaths. The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) was responsible for a third of these deaths, making it the fastest-growing terrorist organization as per GTI. Now. In the case of BLA, these organized terrorist attacks are not the result of any Madrassah but due to political motives, and the people associated with these terrorist attacks are from universities.
The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) was established in 2009 as a counterterrorism agency, but the desired results could n0t be achieved due to a lack of political will, the absence of a multi-pronged strategy, changing of priorities with changes in regimes and, unfortunately, in some cases with the connivance of non-state actors, sponsored religious education and generation of “self-styled Jihadist” groups which ultimately resulted in religious extremism.
Over the last decade, the pattern and trend of terrorism have changed, but we have not equipped ourselves to combat terrorism in the language of terrorists. The changing strategies of terrorist groups have made it difficult to get the desired results. The introduction and development of drones have rapidly changed the nature of conflicts, turning into new war technology. This new trend in terrorist attacks by ISIS, Boko Haram and Houthis has worsened the situation. As per the latest report of GTI, 65 non-state actors are presently capable of deploying military drones which can fly up to 1,500 km.
We can win the war against terrorism through cybersecurity technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, travel data analysis and biometric systems, payment system and virtual assets technology, modern technology and radar signal technology, monitoring and analysis technology, electronic games technology, and last but not least, rudimentary changes in the syllabus which ultimately lead to Nation building. Here is my attempt to critically evaluate the legislative, administrative, technological, cultural and economic paradigms to combat terrorism in Pakistan.
Please, subscribe to the official website of republicpolicy.com
Pakistan has enacted several laws and acts to deal with terrorism and its related offences, such as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, the National Counterterrorism Authority Act, the Investigation for Fair Trial Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. These laws give law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts enhanced powers in terrorism cases, such as preventive detention, the death penalty, specialized courts, and electronic surveillance. However, these laws also face some challenges and limitations, such as lack of implementation, human rights violations, judicial backlog, and procedural loopholes. Therefore, Pakistan needs to review and revise its legislative framework to ensure that it is consistent, comprehensive, effective, and compliant with international standards and obligations.
Pakistan has established several institutions and mechanisms to coordinate and implement its counterterrorism policies and strategies, such as the National Counterterrorism Authority (NACTA), the National Action Plan (NAP), the National Internal Security Policy (NISP), and the Project Steering Committee (PSC). These institutions and mechanisms aim to improve provincial and inter-provincial cooperation on counterterrorism, strengthen capacity for strategic analysis, promote greater judicial integrity and human rights compliance, and monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of counterterrorism efforts. However, these institutions and mechanisms also face some challenges and limitations, such as lack of resources, political interference, bureaucratic hurdles, and overlapping mandates. Therefore, Pakistan needs to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its administrative framework to ensure that it is responsive, accountable, transparent, and inclusive.
Pakistan has utilized various technologies to combat terrorism and its related threats, such as biometric information collection at land crossings through its International Border Management Security System (IBMS), forensic evidence analysis by the Sindh Police Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), electronic surveillance by the intelligence agencies under the Investigation for Fair Trial Act (IFTA), and cybercrime prevention by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). These technologies aim to enhance the investigation processes and the use of evidence for the preparation of terrorism cases, to detect and disrupt terrorist activities and networks, to prevent terrorist financing and money laundering, and to protect critical infrastructure and information systems. However, these technologies also face some challenges and limitations, such as lack of innovation, outdated equipment, insufficient training, legal constraints, and ethical concerns. Therefore, Pakistan needs to improve its technological framework to ensure that it is adaptive, reliable, secure, and respectful of privacy.
Importantly, Pakistan has adopted various cultural measures to counter terrorism and its related ideologies, such as promoting pluralism, freedom, democracy and a culture of tolerance through education reform, media regulation, and civil society engagement, curbing hate speech, sectarianism, and radicalization through legislation, enforcement, and dialogue, developing a national narrative based on Islamic values, national identity, and constitutional principles, and supporting de-radicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for former terrorists and their families. These measures aim to address the root causes or structural determinants of violent extremism, challenge the narratives and propaganda of terrorist groups, foster social cohesion and resilience among diverse communities, and facilitate the re-entry and reconciliation of repentant terrorists. However, these measures also face some challenges and limitations, such as lack of consensus, coordination, and implementation, resistance from vested interests and extremist elements, inadequate resources and expertise, and insufficient monitoring and evaluation. Therefore, Pakistan needs to strengthen its cultural framework to ensure that it is comprehensive, consistent, effective, and participatory.
Please, subscribe to the monthly magazines of republicpolicy.com
Lastly, Pakistan has taken various economic steps to counter terrorism and its related impacts, such as freezing the assets of designated terrorist individuals and entities under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and the United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), enhancing the regulatory oversight of financial institutions and non-profit organizations under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, providing compensation and assistance to the victims of terrorism and their families under various schemes and programs, and investing in socio-economic development projects in areas affected by terrorism such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under various initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) reforms. These steps aim to prevent and disrupt the financing of terrorism and money laundering, to mitigate the human and material costs of terrorism, to address the grievances and inequalities that fuel terrorism, and to create opportunities and incentives for peace and stability. However, these steps also face some challenges and limitations, such as lack of compliance, enforcement, and coordination, pressure from external actors and sanctions, insufficient funding and allocation, and security threats and sabotage. Therefore, Pakistan needs to optimize its economic framework to ensure that it is compliant, cooperative, sustainable, and inclusive.
In closing, Pakistan should continue implementing the multi-dimensional approach to combat and uproot the remnants of terrorism.
The writer is a civil servant.
Please, subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com
