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.

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