Terrorists had spread its tentacles in the length and breadth of Pakistan. Increasing intolerance and violence has created havoc in the country. Within a short span of two months two high profile murders in the federal capital and suicide attacks in different parts of the country, with no let up, shows an extremely grim picture of peace and security in the country. Tehrik-e-Taliban is the main culprit behind the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and federal minister for allegedly amending blasphemy law and suicide attacks. A radical change seems in their strategy in eliminating high profile personalities through snipers, killing and harassing civilians and law enforcement personnel in bomb attacks. Pakistan is the worst victim of terrorism in the world in terms of human and financial losses with paralyzed economy, capital flight and shattered investors confidence, both, domestic and foreign. However, lack of vision, strong political will, weak institutions and undue favors of some political and religious leaders towards militants creates confusion and uncertainty in the public and embolden terrorists.
It is very unfortunate that terrorists has clarity in their mission, planning and successful execution to achieve their cherished goals whereas the priorities and strategies of government leadership are completely incoherent and misplaced. There are some political, legal, religious and social factors which affects anti terrorism efforts despite military success in the last three years.
The aim of terrorists is to acquire and use power and get media attention. For this purpose terrorists creates fear, panic, intimidate entire nation, rival groups, sects, and undermining the confidence of the government to submit or agree to their demands which are clearly identified to have a territory as their emirate, levy taxes, impose their obsolete and unacceptable worldly outlook on the majority and use its territory against states in the region and beyond. They justify their acts by being excluded or frustrated by the process to bring about a political change. But those who are engaged in terror acts have no grievances of political oppression, cultural domination, economic exploitation, ethnic discrimination, religious persecution, unequal distribution of wealth and power because they represent not a single section of the society. These are anti state elements. Those who have such grievances can be brought to mainstream politics, to join political and democratic process, exploit all forums of free press and independent judiciary to achieve their goals politically and constitutionally.
Terrorists choose their target carefully gathering detailed reconnaissance and intelligence about a target, its defense capability, vulnerabilities and pattern of daily activities. They have communication and logistic facilities to transport huge amount of explosives and weapons for conducting operation to hit the target. May be in collusion with local population or some black sheep present in the security and law enforcement personnel. Due to serious security lapses terrorists has achieved successfully their objectives. No one knows how terrorist receives information about movement of high profile personalities in the federal capital.
In fact terrorists have change their strategy and achieved success in hitting selected targets but in counter terrorism Pakistan military has the capability, strength and resources to wipe out terrorists strongholds in the tribal belt but in the urban areas civilian law enforcement agencies need popular back up, required training, resources and new flawless strategy to stand up to and pulverize this private militia. It requires close cooperation, coordination among institutions and timely intelligence sharing to dismantle terrorist’s hideouts. Most of the times security forces arrest terrorists who are released by the courts and get scot free due to loopholes in the anti terrorism law. Another important aspect is the lack of security to judges, prosecutors, jail authorities, witnesses and agents of investigating agencies receives threats to their life which badly affects courts trial and therefore conviction ratio is negligible. Anyway framing an anti terrorism law and provision of security to all is state’s responsibility. To save the country from this monster all and sundry to show conspicuous gallantry in these adverse circumstances to defeat this mindset militarily as well as ideologically. Just issues statements of strong condemnation whose empty slogans and lack of political will hardly convince citizenry is not enough. After three years elected government has made no serious and concerted efforts to frame an anti terrorism law. According to media reports a draft of anti terrorism law is shuttling between the law and interior ministries. Further negligence in the matters of national security will have dire consequences.
In the country where there is a clear division among politicians, religious leaders, intellectuals and media persons, which creates confusion and uncertainty, merely for petty personal gains making overall environment conducive for terrorists. Some politicians are engaged in the blame game while other deny their existence despite the fact that not an inch of the state’s territory, including federal capital, is safe and secure. No one was sacked of his job even after the assassination of Governor Taseer and federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
Another reason in the fuelling of terrorism is the frequent and effective use of mosque’s pulpit, modern means of communication, for delivering venomous speeches and publication of hate materials to instigate and recruit youth for this dirty job. Their acts does not know sanctity and innocence in hitting a target. Their targets ranges from shrines and places of worship to security forces, educational institutions to funeral procession and Jirgas to crowds of innocent citizens. All the religions, moral and human values fail to condone these acts. In short this violent ideology is out rightly opposed to constitution, democracy, parliamentary system and superior judiciary.
To sum it up, In fighting this mindset and violent ideology unified efforts must be made to effectively use print and electronic media for awareness in the people as well as to revamp the educational system. In this war politicians, Ulemas, intellectuals, lawyers, Teachers and civil society supported by common masses with clarity in mission and unity in their ranks and file will prove helpful in wining this long drawn war. This is the war of survival.
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