Apropos the article by Amir Rana “A militant stereotype” published on September 23, 2012. Usually, a research work presents a credible data but such a short sample as collected for this research may not produce accurate results. What could be the source of collecting this sample also raises questions about the research which might have been carried out in a fixed environment, thus affecting variables. It is hard to believe that recruiters of these militants did not exploit the socioeconomic deprivations but only played on religious sentiments. The phenomenon of militancy has more diverse reasons than explained in the article. According to Maslow’s theory of self actualization, the most basic and the most essential necessity in the hierarchy of needs is “the need for food”, followed by “the need for shelter”, proceeded by “the need for belongingness and affection”, followed by “self esteem needs”, and, finally, “the need for self actualization”.
A recent survey done by a think-tank associated with deradaclization centre reveals that in insurgency hit areas more that 70% of the people belong to a very low SES i.e. US$ 94 – 176 (US $3/day). And, when the most basic needs are not met with, it becomes very easy to get manipulated and exploited. The militants take advantage of this, and the basic incentive/ reinforcement that they give to the people is food and money. And, this phenomenon is not just exclusive to Pakistan only, but, universal in all other parts of the world where there is militancy and terrorism, be it Africa or Asia.
Secondly, again due to financial crisis, lack of job opportunities in backward areas, the breadwinners have to go beyond their dwellings; and often abroad too, in search of well paying jobs which are mostly just adequate to sustain food and shelter for their families back home. 65% of the times, fathers are not present to look after and supervise their children, especially the males. Consequently, almost 54% of the children are abducted by militants. Social Research literature highlights that children reared without fathers are about seven times more likely to drop out of school (65% children are school drop outs), to become runaways, and commit violent crimes, consequently father-absent homes produce the most severe antisocial children.
When there is no food, inadequate shelter, no education, absence of hygiene and health awareness programs and facilities (48% children have brain dysfunction due to various reasons), it’s easy to manipulate and exploit such children. Think tanks behind this entire militant and terrorist regime take advantage of exploiting people on the basis of survival needs rather than these innocent people pulling off suicide bombings because they hate all non-believers. The insurgency feeds on poverty and is about Politics and Power. It has little to do with religion. It also looks unnatural that most of the sample used for research were educated, normal people having love for sports and music and having political affiliation (The writer has shown affiliation with some political parties and excluded few). Thus assertions made by sample are also questionable.
DR SHAFIQUR REHMAN
Rawalpindi
