The looming threat of IS

In universities

While IS fighters are conducting deadly terrorist attacks in Syria, Iraq and have also targeted Paris, the network is simultaneously engaged in a highly sophisticated propaganda war never undertaken by any terrorist group before. The network in fact considers its propaganda wing more important than its fighters. The propaganda machine is needed to spread alienation among the youth in the Muslim world and draw recruits from the west who can then go back without the need of visas to conduct terrorist attacks there. The propaganda machine requires professional photographers, journalists, script writers, video makers, presenters with American and English accent and computer experts to create numerous Facebook and Twitter accounts.

With intense aerial bombing targeting IS strongholds the casualty rate among IS professionals is quite high. The network is therefore concentrating on recruiting many more professionals from Muslim countries, Pakistan being its favourite hunting ground. Pakistan has a fairly large number of professional institutions that impart training in the required skills. What is more extremist thinking has permeated into sections of the middle class and professionals. Graduates and teachers from some of the top universities have been found to be under the influence of extremist thinking.

Reports in media tell of IS recruiters stalking university campuses. A Pakistani journalist has told how he was approached by a recruiter. Da’ish is courting university students, doctors, lawyers, journalists and businessmen, while using women groups for fundraising. Some of those working for the network have been arrested. Highly placed intelligence officials have acknowledged that people are being influenced through videos. DG IB recently told a Senate committee that hundreds of Pakistanis have gone to fight in Syria, and some are now coming back to look for fresh volunteers.

The slow moving interior ministry needs to urgently concentrate on two tasks. First it should put NACTA into action at the earliest. Second it must plan a comprehensive and multifaceted campaign to eradicate extremist thinking from the country.