Re: Pakistan’s counter terrorism policy
With each passing day the security situation of the country is getting complex. During the past 8 years operations have been carried out in various agencies of FATA, Swat and Dir but the terrorists are still alive and kicking. They have shown remarkable traits of adaptability. After being attacked and defeated in one area they reappear from somewhere else (well and truly they are a ‘cancer’). As a result of the operations the terrorists have shifted to other areas within the country or across the border in Eastern Afghanistan (Kunar and Nuristan). Any unplanned operations in NWA will result in the relocation of terrorists to neighbouring Khost and Paktia.
The recent attacks in Peshawar and Karachi point towards the reality that they are getting stronger in settled areas as well. They want to draw the army into a fight in urban areas, as it will be very bloody and play into their narratives. They could use the pictures of people (collateral damage) killed to turn around their plummeting support among the masses.
Every now and then, the militants have made it clear (through their actions) that they are not in favour of negotiations. One thing is for sure the way PTI and PMLN have approached the terrorism issue; some people (bearing the brunt) of smaller provinces have started equating that with indifference of Punjabis to their plight. Surrendering to TTP is out of question.
How can they be defeated?
1) Counter terrorism policy: A proper counter terrorism policy is needed which includes some centralized intelligence sharing mechanism, changes in evidence laws and judicial procedures to deal with terrorism cases. The intelligence needs to be improved to pre-empt and stop terror strikes. Similarly any militant who is captured should be punished through the law of the land.
2) Governance: FCR needs to be repealed, and the tribal areas be included fully under the constitutional framework of the country. In our recent past we have seen how militancy takes root in those areas where there’s political Vacuum (Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen). It’s important to end the political vacuum in FATA.
3) Isolating the militants: With each terror strike the militants are becoming more and more irrelevant and isolated in the masses. I believe a unanimous fatwa is needed against their anti Islam activities. Intelligence based operations should be carried out against their top leadership, disrupt their command and control and halt their money trail. As a response to this they might retaliate with suicide attacks within the country but that would further expose them and reduce their support base. The army should try to keep the collateral damage to the minimum, as they need to win the hearts and minds of the people to keep the support going for this initiative. They should try to wean out some of the foot soldiers to weaken the militancy.
4) Development: Development needs to be carried out in FATA to bring it at par with other areas of the country. Educational, health and job opportunities would end the factors which can push the people towards militancy.
A multi-pronged counter terrorism policy is needed to defeat the militancy once for all.
Good points made Ali, i think the above depends mostly on present government but they have been highly incompetent in almost every other field and this is no exception.
What i find extremely surprising is that whole blame of Taliban problem ends with Imran not properly condemning them? It is FAR bigger and complex problem and Imran’s view has ALWAYS been same which people may/may not agree with.