Terrorism and Internal Security Threats

By

T.H.Shah

The principal concern of Pakistan's national life is security, both internal and external i.e. country's defense from inimical forces from within and without. The temperament of Pakistan foreign policy smacks of peace, security and tranquility not only in South Asia but also on international level. It actively seeks a peaceful international order and strongly adheres to the terms of the UN Charter and UN Declaration of human rights.

Pakistan holds the standpoint that any territorial acquisition by force is totally unacceptable, and it has always sought and advocated peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes. Despite this policy of peace which is hallmark of Pakistan's ideology and orientation, the first quarters of its existence catapulted it into three military quagmires i.e. war of 1947, 1965 and 1971.

In making the fabric of Pakistan foreign policy, the main determinants playing crucial role have been Indian threats due to occupation of Kashmir, relations with USA and China, economic security and relations with the Muslim world. But the drop scene of Cold War, dismemberment of USSR, proclamation itself as a nuclear state, and tragedies of 09/11 and 07/07 have put some serious challenges to the managers of foreign policy both the civil and military echelons. Its foreign policy underwent tremendous change with the involvement of war against terrorism coupled with religious extremism. Currently, the Pakistan’s security centers round the factors like defense and terrorism, extermination of Jihadi culture from the society, sectarian strife and killings, infiltration of foreign terrorist groups in the Tribal Areas of the country as happened in the vale of Swat. Though Pakistan is wishful of maintaining cordial relations with India, but Indian intentions and attitudes within the pretext of enhanced military preparation have direct bearings on Pakistan’s national security.

Pakistan has always framed its foreign policy keeping in view the factors like Indian threat, Occupied Kashmir, strategic relations with USA and China, economic security both at internal and external, and its relations with the Muslim world. But subsequent to the end of cold war, crumbling down of USSR and proclaiming itself as nuclear state and the tragedy of 9/11, the course of its foreign policy has changed. It had to reorient its foreign policy in the light of terrorism, the propaganda widely trumpeted by the Western countries of the world. Pakistan wants normalization of relations with India, but Indian hostility, intentions and attitudes, and enhanced military preparations have direct imprints on Pakistan's national security.

As far as terrorism is concerned, Pakistan is quite opponent to this social demon which is construction of vested interests. It avowedly criticizes it in whatsoever form and manifestation it exists not only on the land of Pakistan but on every part of the world. It is recognizable fact that the most affected ones in war against terrorism is Pakistan whose military forces are in war on its own land. To counter the menace the on diplomatic level, Pakistan has signed 11 of the 12 international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism and is a party to 10.

Subsequent to 9/11 tragedy, the Government of Pakistan has taken many laudable steps to counter the threats of terrorism which include becoming partner in global coalition against terrorism and also waging war in the tribal areas considered to be the abode of terrorists. Pakistan’s military is in cooperation with USA and government has also banned several militant and sectarian groups in the country. In similar, pursuant to its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1267, 1333, 1390, and 1455, Pakistan continues to work with the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee to freeze the assets of individuals and groups identified as terrorist entities linked to al-Qaida or the Taliban. In 2002, the United States and Pakistan established the Working Group on Counter-terrorism and Law-Enforcement Cooperation. The meetings provide a forum for discussing ongoing US-Pakistani efforts, as well as a means for improving capabilities and cooperation. Pakistan provides significant assistance in the investigation of international terrorism. Still Pakistan is making its best efforts to counter the Al-Qaida terrorists. In beginning it provided diplomatic and logistic support to the military coalition forces but later on it itself jumped into the war whose circumference is on the rise.

Moreover, government of Pakistan both under military and civil set-up has conceded due attention to the implicit and likely threats of terrorism from Deeni Madaris (Conventional Religious Schools) considered by the western decision makers as “breeding factories of terrorism” It has some reality as some terrorists arrested has been found studying in the Madaris. But is doesn’t mean all Deeni Madaris are involved in violent Jihad; it maligns the good name of Deeni Madaris. To rectify the situation, government has taken revolutionary measures and subjected all Deeni Madaris to official registration with introduction of teaching modern knowledge focusing upon study of civic and social sciences. This all have been done under Religious Training System and Madrassas Reform Program aiming at bringing the religious seminaries into the main stream of the education culture. Even now the attempts to regularize all the Madrassas are in action and the students of these essentially religious institutions would get the opportunity to learn modern subjects like English, Economics and Computer Sciences. This is indeed a great step forward for the cause of literacy in the country as well as for religious seminaries for earning social and international acceptance.

Fighting terrorism is in the interest of Pakistan because it encourages sectarianism and has been a destabilizing factor in the country. There can be neither development nor local or foreign investment without stability and peace in the region, and terrorism cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Extremists in any society are in a minority but Pakistan in general and Islamic world in particular is facing a formidable challenge on all fronts. It should be understood that concept of Enlightened Moderation as presented by Ex President Musharraff in his address to OIC summit in Malaysia, is not a new phenomenon in Islam as Islam is itself a religion of peace, brotherhood, liberality and tolerance in all spheres of life. The need and challenge before all the Muslim countries is how to interpret the modern civic and sociological trends within the universal teaching of Islam.

(Writer is Director Research Press For Peace  : tajammulhs@gmail.com)