Pakistan’s Stance on Terrorism?| Security Lense | Article | 05-Oct-2024
On November 4, 2024, the coalition government passed six critical bills through the parliament. One of these bills was related to changes to the Army, Air Force, and Navy acts. Importantly, the bill seeks to increase the tenure of all three service chiefs to five years, instead of three years. This bill raises questions about the military’s role in the democratic processions and its seriousness toward countering the rising wave of extremism and terrorism in the state. Despite the clear surge in terrorist activities at the start of the year, the state’s military leadership didn’t give a hoot, ensuring their unwavering interference in the democratic and political processions.
The rising wave of terrorism and the Chinese factor:
“Poverty, weak institutions, and corruption can make weak states vulnerable to terrorist networks”. Said in the early 2000s by former President of the United States, George W. Bush, this unpretentious statement reflects the security situation of Pakistan.
The wave of terrorism in the state is again on the rise, amidst domestic political and economic instability. According to a report, Pakistan has faced 245 terrorist attacks in the first quarter of 2024. At the time of writing this piece, this number has increased twice.
Other than the humanitarian damage, these attacks have deeply impacted the state economically and diplomatically. The recent Chinese ambassador’s remarks on the relationship with Pakistan endorse this assumption. The indication of the rift with the Chinese is a serious concern for the state as economically it relies on Chinese projects and funding in the country. In the Mid of June this year, the Chinese pressure after the Besham attack enforced the launch of Operation “Azm-i-Istahkam”.
The counter-terrorism strategies initiated by the government lack clarity and efficiency. These strategies can neither address the Chinese concerns nor bring stability to the security apparatus. The Chinese concern is justified, no state in the world would risk the security of its people for the sake of another. The military, instead of initiating well-organized strategies against the terrorist networks across Afghanistan is focused on saving its manhood in internal politics. The question arises as to whether the military leadership is serious about countering terrorism.
According to the Center for Joint Warfare Studies, an autonomous Think Tank, “Military leadership faces the distinct challenge of being pulled into issues of domestic security and stability. Communal tensions, economic frustrations, and population pressures can encroach on the military’s responsibilities, blurring the boundaries between its traditional role and civilian governance.
Pakistan’s Stance on Terrorism requires careful oversight to prevent excessive military involvement in civil matters”. The democratic system of Pakistan has been flawed since 1947, where the military has remained focused on the nexus of power. Apart from the recent bill mentioned above, the military leadership is also stressing the government to pass a bill, which authorizes the military to detain a person for three months on the charge of Anti-terrorism. The actions of the leadership are more focused on suppressing the voices and reach of their political rivals, instead of eradicating terrorism in the state.
Pakistan’s Stance on Terrorism: Way forward
Considering the situation of Pakistan’s Stance on Terrorism, the primary concern of the political and military should be enhancing the credibility of the state. Pakistan should properly address Chinese security concerns and the state should ensure that the economic projects, initiated by the Chinese government are working smoothly. This can only be done if the Federal government resolves its clashes with the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and the Baluchistan government. The military leadership can play a very critical role in this aspect. Instead of illegally detaining politicians and workers of political enemies, the leadership should act as a mediator between political parties across the provinces.
Another aspect that can be improved at the present level of security development and interaction between military and civilian authorities is the need for increasing institutional transparency and accountability. Due to the mistrust of both political and military leadership, the threat of terrorism can be hardly addressed. The improvement in civil-military relations, especially in KPK and Baluchistan can control the surge in terrorist attacks in the state. It is also crucial to strengthen civil societies and their cooperation with the military wing at the time of emergency. These actions would still require the military leadership to comply with the state’s need which is an immediate and reliable solution to the threat of terrorism.
Pakistan’s Stance on Terrorism must be effective as there is a dire need for military and political reforms in Pakistan. These reforms should be focused on the rising threat of terrorism. The military leadership should inculcate any potential arms or strategic cooperation with states like the United States or Russia.
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