Defeating terrorism before it takes root
The 53-odd heads of state at the nuclear security summit at The Hague last week seemed acting responsibly enough. There is, after all, urgent need for every country in the nuclear club to constantly upgrade safety standards and practices. And there can be no two views about keeping all forms of uranium, even the non-weaponised variety, well away from terrorist hands. Al Qaeda has already played with chemical weapons in Syria, when stolen Libyan clusters were used just outside Damascus and blamed on the government, almost tricking US/NATO into the war. The slightest amount of radioactive material in bad guys’ hands and the prospect of what might happen is just too dangerous to even contemplate.
Yet checks and balances will go only so far in deterring terrorists bent upon advancing their cause. Responsible leaders representing nuclear capitals at The Hague must no doubt have noted how terrorism, specifically al Qaeda type, has grown in the long years of the war against terrorism. It is almost as if war has had a direct influence in making the phenomenon grow rather than controlling it. It is, therefore, just as important to break down the Islamist militant so keen on destroying progressive society and study what makes him advance such absolute destruction as it is to keep sophisticated weapons from his reach.
Granted, there is no shortage of indoctrinated jihadis in the al Qaedas and Taliban of this world. But there is also no shortage of innocent youth sucked into this extremism. A mix of poverty, economic backwardness, and bitterness has been known to push many people towards terrorism who would have otherwise stayed away. Barely able to manage subsistence, they are in no position to fend off insurgent groups as they approach their towns and villages. And once the jihad begins bringing power, authority, and dollars, it is difficult to look back at a life of constant struggle with no reward. Even now, as talks gather pace, there is concern among observers who understand the insurgency well that most militiamen will refuse to disarm simply because of the unattractive nature of ‘normal life’ in FATA.
So, as much as it is essential to contain terrorists, it is far more important to keep them from multiplying in the first place. And the shortest and quickest answer to that problem is improving the economic system and ensuring benefits trickle down to the most vulnerable sections of society. Producing nuclear energy, for both civil and military purposes, is as complicated as it is rewarding. But there is a need to extend complicated and rewarding processes in ways that bring direct benefits to people. As things stand, our economy is stagnating, inflation has long been uncomfortably high, and service delivery to the poor is virtually unheard of. Just as much with its negotiations with terrorists, Pakistan can break fresh ground in the international war on terror by not just advocating, but also presenting an economic programme that helps the lesser privileged, and defeats terrorism before it takes root in much of the population.
Yes it is a practical approach that there should be economic development and prosperity in country in order to address the terrorism issue. This should keep this in mind that Pakistan nuclear credentials are not meant to address the intrastate issues at home. The nuclear domain of Pakistan is aimed to counter threats from neighborhood primarily. Pakistani government and all the related authorities really bend to address all the dynamics of terrorism in true sense and economic development is of priority.
There are certain issues which nuclear states should concern about and the most alarming one is nuclear terrorism. Pakistan has been successful in developing a robust command and control over its nuke security. Global powers have acknowledged Pakistan's efforts. But we have seen security lapses in other developed states which is really worrisome for smaller states.
No doubt nuclear weapons have tended to give deterrence capability to the states. But in the wake of terrorist activities of 9/11 and also the emergence of terrorist organizations gave emergence to another grave threat to international security which is of nuclear terrorism. Availability of nuclear material can make the terrorist to achieve their goals easily. Pakistan's role as a responsible nuclear state can better be seen in its efforts for the abolition of or threats of nuclear terrorism. Pakistan is trying hard to stabilize itself economically and politically to counter the nuclear terrorism.
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