Introduction
“Terrorism is (largely) a psychological warfare. Terrorists try to manipulate us and change our behavior by creating fear, uncertainty, and division in society.”—Patrick J. Kennedy
The specter of resurgent terrorism has become the most threatening challenge of the twenty-first century. The monster of terrorism coupled with militancy has continued to wreak havoc in most of the sovereign countries stretching from the North Atlantic Ocean to the South China Sea. Though the international community has made mind-boggling discoveries and inventions in the scientist field to facilitate life on earth, it has thus far faced a stunning failure to stamp out terrorism by collectively inhibiting all of its primary and entrenched causes. Since Pakistan is geographically situated in close proximity to strife-torn Afghanistan and shares a long border with its sworn-foe India (a regional hegemonic power supported by America to employ all disruptive forces to contain the emerging China), the country has been hard hit by regionally-funded terrorist, insurgent, sectarian and militant outfits. The geo-strategically important country has made tremendous headway against terrorist and militant groups by means of the effective counter-terrorism operation, Zarb-e-Azb. The civilian government’s foot-dragging in terms of rigorously implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) and activating the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) have operationally helped ‘hibernated’ terrorists and militants to steadily garner power and re-launch attacks on the country.
The recent spike in terrorist attacks has made it clear that terrorists and militants have not yet been fully defeated. Operation Zarb-e-Azb has dismantled the organisational structure of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), causing it to disintegrate into splinter groups. Due to the ongoing anti-terror military operation, the TTP and its offshoots such as Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) shifted their operational bases to terror-infested eastern Afghanistan. Under the direct sway of Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies, these outlawed terror franchises are engrossed in overtly employing the Afghan soil to mount disruptive attacks on Pakistan. The article attempts to explain in detail the recent wave of terror and to critically evaluate the selective and tardy implementation of NAP and its impacts on the overall security of the country. More importantly, a way forward is also suggested to the civilian government on how to complement the Army’s continuing operations, namely, Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad through political, security and socio-economic reforms.
Recent Spike in Terrorism- the Regional Proxy War
After a short respite, terrorists and militants have re-launched their attacks in the country, especially from the terror-infested eastern Afghanistan. This year, the first major terrorist attack took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Parachinar district. On January 22, 2017, a deadly blast ripped through a vegetable market killing at least 25 people and leaving 87 injured. The attack was claimed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the largest faction of the erstwhile Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in connection with another TTP faction led by Shehryar Mehsud.
What is important to note is that the TTP and its minor offshoots are apparently on the run, as their operational bases and training centers have been completely dismantled and destroyed by the Army through Operation Zarb-e-Azb. “The attack was seen as a one-off, carried out by an outfit whose back had seemingly been broken by Operation Zarb-i-Azb”, writes Baqir Sajjad Syed, a seasoned journalist associated with Dawn.
Presumably, the planning for the fatal attack was carried out across the long, porous and vulnerable Durand Line. The JuA is widely believed to be freely operating from an unknown location in eastern Afghanistan, possibly under the nose and direction of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the underperforming Afghan intelligence agency. The corruption-ridden National Unity Government of Afghanistan has provided a carte blanche to NDS to work in direct collusion with RAW, the Indian intelligence agency, to sponsor terrorist, militant and insurgent attacks in Pakistan. “The subversive nexus between RAW and NDS is a permanent source of tension for Islamabad”, remarked Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria. The underlying reason behind the noxious NDS-RAW nexus is the ongoing strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan caused by cross-border terrorism and India’s obstructive role in Kabul.
On February 12, a police van came under fire in the North Nazimabad area of Karachi. With DSNG vans parked at the site of the incidence, unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at a Samaa TV van. A young camera assistant died. The outlawed TTP claimed responsibility for both attacks.
On February 13, the TTP once again carried out a suicide blast on Lahore’s Mall Road, killing 13 people and injuring 85. On the same day, two Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) personnel were killed in Quetta while trying to defuse a roadside bomb at Sariab Road. After two days of the attack on Mall Road, five more perished as a suicide blast ripped through a government office in Mohmand Agency. The JuA claimed responsibility for these attacks.
The deadliest terrorist attack in February took place at the shrine of a revered Sufi in Sindh. On February 16, when the devotees at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar were immersed in the dhamaal (dance), a suicide attacker blew himself up killing at least 85 people while leaving more than 200 injured. The attack was later on claimed by Daesh (Islamic State) — an outfit that is believed to be slowly gaining a foothold in Pakistan.
Sadly, the civilian government has kept denying the presence of the militant group in the country. In his media briefings, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan repeatedly says that: “Daesh does not exist in Pakistan. Other terrorist groups, which are involved in activities against the state are using Daesh’s name and are causing death and destruction in the country.” But Islamic State claimed the attacks on a bus in Karachi’s Safoora Goth in May 2015, Quetta’s Civil Hospital on 8 August, Police Training Centre Quetta on 24 October, Shah Noorani Shrine in Khuzdar District of Balochistan on 12 November and the recent attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. “Daesh is now taking root in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The organisation is wealthy, but it is not interested in working with small splinter groups. That is why [militant] groups are merging to be in a better position to negotiate with Daesh,” Dr. Hussain Seharwardi, Professor at the International Relations Department, Peshawar University says.
On February 21, three suicide bombers attempted to storm a local court in Charsadda. Only one managed to detonate himself; the other two were killed before they could wreak havoc. Seven, including child and a lawyer, were killed. The attack was claimed, yet again, by the JuA.
A Critical Evaluation of NAP
On December 16, 2014, six Islamist terrorists belonging to the TTP Fazlullah faction stormed the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar and massacred 145 people, including 132 children. Amid the public outcry over the carnage, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the National Action Plan (NAP) with the purpose of curbing terrorist activities. He announced the 20-point NAP during his televised speech on December 24th, after the conclusion of the All Parties’ Conference which was called following the declaration of a national emergency by the government. The following are the key points of NAP as available on the website of the dormant NACTA:
1. Implementation of death sentence of those convicted in cases of terrorism.
2. Special trial courts under the supervision of Army. The duration of these courts would be two years.
3. Militant outfits and armed gangs will not be allowed to operate in the country.
4. NACTA, the anti-terrorism institution will be strengthened.
5. Strict action against the literature, newspapers and magazines promoting hatred, extremism, sectarianism and intolerance.
6. Choking financing for terrorist and terrorist organisations.
7. Ensuring against re-emergence of proscribed organisations.
8. Establishing and deploying a dedicated counter-terrorism force.
9. Taking effective steps against religious persecution.
10. Registration and regulation of religious seminaries
11. Ban on the glorification of terrorists and terrorist organisations through print and electronic media
12. Administrative and development reforms in FATA with an immediate focus on repatriation of IDPs.
13. The communication network of terrorists will be dismantled completely.
14. Measures against abuse of internet and social media for terrorism.
15. Zero tolerance for militancy in Punjab.
16. Ongoing operation in Karachi will be taken to its logical end.
17. Balochistan government to be fully empowered for political reconciliation with complete ownership by all stakeholders.
18. Dealing firmly with sectarian terrorists.
19. Formulation of a comprehensive policy to deal with the issue of Afghan refugees, beginning with the registration of all refugees.
20. Revamping and reforming the criminal justice system.
The government has so far displayed unwillingness to execute the major points of NAP. The reluctance of the civilian government has indirectly helped terrorists and militants to go underground during Operation Zarb-e-Azb and resurface with more power and restart attacks. To critically assess the execution of NAP, it is imperative to diagnose its major points in detail and the seriousness of the government in terms of impartially and strictly implementing it.
Points 1 and 2: Establishment of Military Courts and Execution of Terrorists
It is imperative to mention here that the Army is not interested in playing a judicial role in the country by settling judicial cases and awarding punishments to hardcore terrorists and militants. The civilian incompetence and apathy to reform the judicial system compelled the Army to punish terrorists and militants in its courts established under the 21st Amendment. What is of paramount importance is that military courts have been set up to award punishments in certain cases. These offences include:
• Attacking military officers or installations;
• Kidnapping for ransom;
• Possessing, storing or transporting explosives, firearms, suicide jackets or other articles;
• Using or designing vehicles for terrorist attacks;
• Causing death or injury;
• Possessing firearms designed for terrorist acts;
• Acting in any way to “over-awe the state” or the general public;
• Creating terror or insecurity in Pakistan;
• Attempting to commit any of the above-listed acts within or outside of Pakistan;
• Providing or receiving funding for any of the above-listed acts; and
• Waging war against the state.
Despite being engaged on the western and eastern borders to protect the country from terrorists and Indian aggression respectively, the Army has fared well in expediting the execution of hardened terrorists and militants. These executions have worked effectively by reducing terrorist incidents to a great level in 2016. Despite flaws and shortcomings, the military courts under NAP have hung a large number of hardcore terrorists. As per a Dawn report published in January 2017, there are roughly 11 military courts set up across the country – three in KP, three in Punjab, two in Sindh and one in Balochistan. The report further spells out that since February 2015, a total of 274 individuals were convicted by military courts. So far, the army has sentenced 161 individuals to death, 12 of whom have been executed and 169 have been given jail terms (mostly life sentence).
As seen before, terrorists often escaped punishment because of sluggish courts. They used intimidating tactics to browbeat judges, lawyers and witnesses to eventually evade the laws of the country. Since they were fully acquainted that they would not be brought to book by courts, terrorists kept mounting attacks in every nook and corner of the country. Timely and stringent punishment serves as effectual deterrence against crimes, the role of military courts has immensely helped decrease the level of destabilizing terrorist and militant attacks in the country. But all this does not mean that the government keeps disregarding the much-needed judicial reforms.
These courts under the direction of the Army are only meant to bring the level of terrorism and militancy under control for a short time so that the counter-terrorism successes achieved during Operation Zarb-e-Azb do not go in vain. The civilian government should come forward and play its constitutional role with regard to bringing in effective reforms in the lethargic criminal justice system at both lower and higher levels. Further delay in this context will only embolden terrorists and militants to continue orchestrating attacks, further complicating the terror landscape of the country.
Points 3, 7 and 15: Eliminating Militant Outfits
Under NAP, the government is responsible for taking measures against all banned militant groups freely operating in the country, especially in southern and central Punjab. Till very recently, the PML-N government had delayed any effective counter military operation on the same lines as the one in Karachi – in those districts of Punjab where battle-hardened operatives of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are believed to be hiding. These outlawed militants groups have made Central Punjab the hub of disruptive militancy, thus posing a severe security threat to the country. “Though the federal and the provincial governments deny the threat, Punjab is sitting on a powder keg. The province is the hub of violent extremism with banned outfits operating freely. What is most dangerous is the ostrich-like attitude of the provincial government in the face of the grave threat,” warned columnist and journalist Zahid Hussain in his piece titled ‘Terror in the heartland again’ in Dawn on February 15 this year.
The recent by-election victory of Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi, son of Haq Nawaz Jhangvi, the founder of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) signals that the government is either apprehensive of a threatening backlash from these militant-cum-sectarian outfits or is inclined to gain their political support in the upcoming general elections in 2018. If the government continues to remain apathetic in terms of launching a comprehensive operation against militant groups without discrimination, it will never make strides against ragtag militant outfits based in less-developed and marginalised areas of Punjab; nor will it be able to impede any uptick in terrorist attacks in the country in future. Mr. Hussain cautions: “The latest attack shows how easy it is for the militants to regroup and launch spectacular attacks with the state still reluctant to act against the major sources of militancy without exception.”
Such political expediency and outright indifference of the ruling party is mainly responsible for the ongoing non-cooperative civil-military relations. The prime minister along with the Punjab Chief Minister should have empowered and properly equipped the Punjab police and the provincial Counter Terrorism Department to flush out these disruptive groups. Since the Army has already deployed a large number of troops in the terror-stricken tribal areas against terrorists, it would be quite unwise to engage them in Central Punjab against militants.
The launching by the Army of a countrywide counter-terrorism operation, namely Radd-ul-Fasaad is very welcome. Through this operation, it is more than likely that all hotbeds and sanctuaries of militants in Punjab will be destroyed and militants flushed out. The Punjab government should not create ‘political constraints’ (approval letters from the Punjab government to launch crackdowns against militants) so that the Army can successfully eliminate the organisational structures of militants in central Punjab. During the military operation, the Punjab government should reform its police force so that it can keep the militants at bay after the operation is over.
Points 4 and 8: Strengthening NACTA
Though created in 2009, the PPP-led federal government took three years to finally approve a draft bill providing legal cover to NACTA in March 2013. NACTA is calculated to curb terrorism, streamline intelligence gathering and plan counter-terrorism strategies. According to point No. 4, NACTA would be fully strengthened and empowered to play a pivotal role in eradicating terrorism and militancy. So, NACTA is essentially supposed to be the main executive authority entrusted with the task of executing NAP in letter and spirit. Before the attack on Charing Cross in Lahore, NACTA performed its assigned task well by informing the government of a possible terrorist attack in Punjab.
But, it can be argued that the authority still does not have competent counterterrorism professionals. The competence and professionalism of NACTA can be gauged from its working methods. Whenever it issues a warning to the government about a possible terrorist attack, the warning reaches social media, creating fear in people. This can also help terrorists change the venue of their attacks. The government’s clumsy counter-terror methods have assisted terrorists and militants to go underground and resurface to organise attacks.
Due to the government’s incompetence and negligence, NACTA has remained toothless, thus unable to play its role in countering terrorism. Owing to nepotism of the ruling party, NACTA has been staffed with inexperienced persons having little or no expertise of counter-terrorism and counter-militancy. “Without autonomy, NACTA is likely to be consigned to yet another ineffective section of the interior ministry and become a new source of employment for ruling party loyalists,” warned Mr Hussain. The vexing question thus is: when will the country’s corrupt, incompetent and self-centered politicians learn a lesson and begin pondering over the national interests of the country?
In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security enjoys considerable autonomy so that it can function effectively in maintaining security in the country. A department or authority requires functional autonomy so that it can take measures against any person or organisation (when they pose a security threat) while disregarding political affiliations. In Pakistan, whenever the civilian government establishes an institution to deal with security matters, the wings of the same institution or authority is systematically clipped so that it cannot expose “the nexus between politics and terrorism” as stated by former Army chief General (Retd) Raheel Sharif. Since some parliamentarians of the ruling parties have intricate links with some militant groups, the power of NACTA has been deliberately curtailed so that it cannot expose these politicians-cum-militants.
What is more worrying and surprising is that NACTA works under the direction and authority of the Ministry of Interior. It goes without saying that the Ministry of Interior under Chaudhry Nisar is embroiled in its own non-security issues that it has thus far dismally failed to resolve them. In such a confused situation, how can the same ministry display prudence and sagacity to make the dormant NACTA active and fully operational against terrorists and militants?
Point 10: Registration and Regulation of Seminaries
Undoubtedly, madrassas have played a pivotal role in catering to the educational needs of the underprivileged sections of society who cannot afford education from expensive private schools, and are unwilling to join public educational institutions due to their bad performance. Seminaries have produced a large number of learned persons who are engaged in leading prayers, giving informative religious and ethical sermons and preaching Islamic teachings within and outside of the country.
However, some unregistered religious schools are believed to be involved in indoctrinating their students for misguided jihadist’s purposes. Reportedly, they are linked with the TTP, the Afghan Taliban and other militant groups. Since a raft of students is taught the value and importance of martyrdom and jihad in a wrong way, after completing their studies, they flock to join terrorist and militant outfits in order to receive martyrdom. One can observe how young suicide bombers blow themselves up in mosques, shrines and other public places.
To prevent the suspected seminaries from producing terrorists and militants, the government is required to regulate and register them. Sadly, the civilian government has by far turned a blind eye to one of the main points of NAP about regulating and reforming over 35,000 (according to a report of Express Tribune) seminaries operating across the country. As mentioned above, some of these unregulated religious schools are reportedly involved in radicalising their students and supplying them to terrorist and militant groups. Apart from some dummy measures, the state has done nothing concrete to reform the outdated syllabi of seminaries and choke funding of those madrassas believed to be involved in producing terrorists and extremists.
Why has the government continued to avoid reforming and controlling seminaries in the country? Firstly, the ruling party needs the all-out support of some mainstream religio-political parties to shore up its crumbling political setup from the many corruption cases against the first family. Secondly, the government does not have well-qualified professionals who can be tasked to propose feasible changes in the outdated curricula of seminaries. Thirdly, the political leadership is highly fearful of the disruptive street power of some religio-political parties which run their own madrassas.
Point 12: Administrative Reforms in FATA and Repatriation of IDPs
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have been ravaged by terrorist attacks, and a large number of people in the area have been internally displaced. Since FATA is contiguous to terror-infested eastern Afghanistan, major regional terrorist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), the East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Afghan Taliban and the TTP established their sanctuaries in the area. Owing to successive military operations since 2008, these groups have either shifted their operational bases to Afghan provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan and Badakshan, or to some unprotected urban centers in Pakistan.
Point 12 of NAP stresses upon the importance of socio-economic, political and administrative reforms in FATA. To keep terrorism and militancy at bay in the tribal areas, the army has built some training centers for technical education and initiated a process of de-radicalisation of the long-deprived youth in the area. Despite its engagement against terrorists and militants, the Army has played a significant role in repatriating the IDPs. The role which the civilian government should do is being performed by the Army.
The performance of the civilian government as far as the introduction of the needed administrative and socio-economic reforms in FATA are concerned, has been questionable. The recommendations of the FATA Reforms Committee have ended in a fiasco on account of the non-seriousness of the government to empower the terror-weary tribal people on the administrative and economic fronts. The state should be aware that terrorists often exploit deep-rooted political and economic grievances of people and indoctrinate them to join their groups.
Point 16: Continuity of Karachi Operation
The ongoing Rangers’ operation has by far reduced the crime level by 80 percent in Karachi. Before the operation, the city was a hub of criminals and militants who were involved in acts of extortion, targeted killings and abduction for ransom, etc. The corrupt PPP regime along with its coalition partner, MQM did not empower and reform the greatly under-performing police to enable them root out criminals and maintain peace in the city.
It is welcome to note that the government has allowed the Sindh Rangers to continue the operation in the city. The continuing operation by the Rangers has brought about relative normalcy in Karachi by dismantling the budding organisational structures of ragtag criminal rings and militant franchises. During the operation, the Rangers found a nexus between politics and militancy, therefore, it began investigating into the alleged complicity of some politicians with criminal, militant and terrorist groups. This brought to limelight a new problem in the operation.
As Dr. Asim’s case has revealed, some politicians of the PPP have links with terrorists and militants. So, the core leadership of the PPP dragged its feet in terms of extending cooperation with the Rangers for early and successful completion of the operation. What should be kept in mind is that the Rangers needs the support of the Sindh government against the politicians-cum-militants in Karachi in particular and in Sindh in general. Moreover, the provincial judiciary should punish those hardened criminals who the Rangers arrest and hands over the civilian law-enforcement agencies for transparent, speedy and fair trials.
Point: 18 Empowering the Government of Balochistan to Utilise Resources
Balochistan is not only rich in precious natural resources, it possesses an exceptional geostrategic and geo-economic location. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is so designed as it stretches from the Gwadar Port in Balochistan to Kashgar in China. This has increased the economic and strategic importance of the province and it is expected that Balochistan will become the regional trade hub in the near future.
The province is beset with political, socio-economic and security issues. It has been ravaged by a low-intensity insurgency funded by India with the covert support of Afghanistan. Besides, the provincial government has failed to provide quality education and economic opportunities to the people so that they can refrain from supporting insurrectionist and insurgent movements in the resource-rich province. In a nutshell, Balochistan is plagued by bad governance and massive corruption, coupled with reckless misapplication of the dwindling natural resources.
A question can be raised: Should the corruption-ridden government of Balochistan be provided with full freedom over its natural and economic resources? The recent case of former finance secretary Mushtaq Raisani has made it crystal clear that the so-called nationalist leaders and the provincial bureaucracy have joined hands to loot and embezzle the financial resources of the province. The erstwhile finance secretary misappropriated millions of rupees meant for the powerless local bodies of the province. Though not arrested, former chief minister Dr. Abdul Malik is widely believed to have been involved in plundering the resources of Balochistan. Before any measures are taken, effective and comprehensive reforms in the provincial governance and accountability system are needed.
Point 19: Registration and Repatriation of Afghan Refugees
Since the 1980s, Pakistan has borne the burden of millions of Afghan refugees. According to an estimate, 1.5 million refugees have been living in Pakistan without registration. Apart from becoming an economic burden, they have continued to pose a constant threat to the security of the country. On account of their religious orientation and socio-economic deprivation, they have shown proclivity to support the nefarious designs of terrorists and militants. A significant number of them have been brainwashed and recruited by non-state actors to carry out disruptive attacks in the country. That is why it has become imperative to expedite their early documentation and repatriation to their home country, conflict-stricken Afghanistan.
With the support of the UNHCR, the government sent 380,000 refugees back to Afghanistan in 2016 and is determined to repatriate more by the end of this year. But, the crisis-ridden Afghan government is unprepared to provide homes and economic assistance to the returning refugees. Though the UN has given $ 400 to each person, this amount seems inadequate because these do not have homes and businesses to restart a new life in a comfortable manner. The Taliban would exploit their grievance and ultimately employ them in terrorist activities against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
What is alarming is that a large number of Afghan refugees have managed to illegally receive National Identity Cards with the support of corrupt NADRA. The Interior Ministry has evolved some ill-conceived measures to have CNIC of Afghan expats cancelled. A new and pragmatic measure needs to be crafted with regard to annulling the illegal identity cards owned by the Afghan citizens. In this regard, the provinces should cooperate with the federal government so as to speed up the proposed process.
Point 20: Reforming the Criminal Justice System
The government has also dragged its feet with regard to reforming the criminal justice system of the country. In the trial of violent criminals and terrorists, the country’s investigation agencies and courts have failed to probe cases in a scientific manner and deliver verdicts based on irrefutable evidence. This has resulted in low conviction rates of hardened terrorists and militants. Since the terrorists know that they can easily escape punishment, they keep attacking the country.
The way forward
Terrorism is a complex problem which needs a multi-pronged approach to eliminate it root and branch. Besides the ongoing military operation, the government should evolve a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy encompassing political, socio-economic and security reforms.
First and foremost, it is time to realise that the delay in implementing NAP has emboldened terrorists and militants to carry out their disruptive activities. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to make NACTA fully functional and implement NAP without further delay. NACTA should be staffed with professionals having good understanding of counter-terrorism and counter-militancy. Political favourites who lack required expertise will further impede the authority from playing a role in eradicating terrorism.
Furthermore, the state should realise that terrorism is mainly a psychological warfare being waged to create fear so as to divide and weaken the country. In this ideological warfare, the state needs to counter the distorted narrative of terrorists with a well-calibrated ideology aimed at preventing people from joining non-state actors. The government ought to develop a clear-cut counter-narrative with the assistance of religious leaders of all sects and disseminate it with the help of the media. Syllabi of educational institutions need to be reformulated in such a way that students should know the difference between the genuine jihad of Islam and that of the misguided as being propagated by terrorist and militant groups.
Moreover, the government should reform the police and ensure round-the-clock intelligence coordination between the civilian and military agencies. These measures should be complemented with the provision of educational and economic opportunities to people so that they do not end up joining non-state actors. Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi Nobel laureate, opines that: “We must address the root causes of terrorism to end it for all time. I believe putting resources into improving the lives of poor people is a better strategy”.
Over and above, seminaries are required to be brought under mainstream education system of the country. Reading materials of religious institutions need to be modified to include teachings of pluralism and liberalism. Those seminaries which are reportedly involved in producing extremist students should be sealed and their funding choked. The government should not permit religious persons to use sermons to teach and spread hatred and bigotry.
The Punjab government ought to grant full authority to the Rangers to enable it take action against militant groups in the province. This is also equally significant to expose and arrest those politicians who are allegedly linked to militants. Hardcore militants should not be left to operate and create havoc for the sake of gaining votes. Both the Punjab police and Counter Terrorism Department should be reformed, empowered and equipped with all necessary tools and resources so that they will keep militants at bay and inhibit their resurgence in future after the Ranger’s operation in central Punjab.
Last but not least, the PML-N with the support of the Army should raise the issue of cross-border terrorism and militancy with the Unity Government of Afghanistan. Since the beginning of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the Indian spy agency, RAW, with support of its Afghan counterpart has provided financial resources and equipment to those Pakistani terrorists, militants and insurgents ensconced in Afghan provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan and Badakshan. The Afghan government should be convinced to coordinate with the Pakistan Army in destroying these terrorist sanctuaries.
Conclusion
Being the frontline country in the war on terror, Pakistan has borne the brunt of terrorist and militant attacks. Despite losing over $ 118 billion and sacrificing more than 50,000 lives, the country is still facing the specter of terrorism as seen in the recent wave of militancy and violence. The Army has launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to consolidate the gains made during Operation Zarb-e-Azb. It is time the civilian government to come forward and reform the political, administrative, educational and socio-economic systems and spheres of the country. Former UN secretary general Ban Ki moon aptly says: “Missiles may kill terrorists. But good governance kills terrorism. Free and independent societies – free from sufferings, oppression and occupation – this is what will kill terrorism.”
