War on Terror- Pakistan’s Forgotten Story

Inam Ul Haque

28 December 2023

Published in: The Express Tribune

For success of CVE (Countering Violent Extremism Strategy) in entirety, Afghan safe havens for TTP have to be neutralized by whatever means. As most foot soldiers esp those involved in suicide bombing were recognized as Afghan nationals.

Pakistan’s terrorism mosaic is dotted with four types of groups. Neo-Jihadis, Sectarian, Ethno-Nationalists and Religious-Nationalists. Neo-Jihadis like Al-Qaeda and IS have a global outlook. Sectarians focused on cis or trans-border sectarian terrorism. Ethno-Nationalists belong to Baloch militant groups (BLA, BRA, BLF). Religious-Nationalists are regionally focused upholding sharia. TTP fall in this category.

Pakistan, to defeat terrorism, continues to act against deradicalization of its society. It has extended administrative control over erstwhile FATA through merger; mainstreamed less developed areas; undertaken madrassas reforms; initiated poverty-alleviation programs and is adopting constitutional steps like NAP.

Recent wave will subside if Pak persists with kinetic and non-kinetic responses and solves Afghan enigma.