Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Policy

And why we need NAP

Pakistan has been facing the issue of terrorism since it entered into the war on terrorism, right after the event of 9/11. Since 2004, several operations were conducted against the terrorist groups located in the Waziristan belt (FATA). As a reaction, Pakistan has been facing suicide attacks not only in its peripheries but right in the urban areas, with terrorists attacking hospitals, schools, government installations, infrastructure and human beings – men, women and children – with impunity.  With no clear counter-terrorism policy in the past, except for the ill-planned military operations in the northern belt; the security situation further worsened, resulting in the increase in suicide attacks, internal displacements and economic losses.

The broad-based counter terrorism policy, taking the issue holistically, came into being in 2014. The attack on APS that killed more than 200 children proved to be a turning point for Pakistan’s counter terrorism policy. As a reaction to the incident, the public opinion forced the government to bring National Action Plan, aimed at countering the terrorists militarily, economically, politically, religiously, and by building a counter-narrative. It has been more than 2 years since NAP is in place. Now is the high time that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism policy was evaluated.

Even before NAP, Pakistan launched a full-fledged military operation in North Waziristan termed as ‘Operation Zarb-e-Azb’. Broadly, it has been a successful operation that weakened and degraded the terrorists’ safe havens in North Waziristan. Around 90 % area has been cleared from the terrorist groups. Although a successful strategy it was, yet there as some weak points in it. The operation was launched with delays that allowed the terrorist groups, which were based in North Waziristan, to flee in Afghanistan. Mullah Fazlullah and his TTP are a case in point. Had the operation not delayed amidst the common perception of its happening in anytime soon; the military forces could have captured Mullah and had broken the TTP network. Now the same Mullah and his TTP are attacking Pakistan from Afghanistan, and have launched several deadly suicide attacks.

The corollary to the Operation Zarb-e-Azb is the border-control management between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The long, porous border between both the countries allows the terrorist groups from Afghanistan to conduct attacks in Pakistan. Another issue is that this unmanned border allows the terrorists to move freely between Eastern Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan, thereby limiting the gains of the military operation. In this regard, Pakistan has adopted the right policy of managing its border, albeit at the cost of its relations with Afghanistan. It has been reported that a long and deep trenches have been made along the border, as bordering it permanently with walls and gates is not feasible given the 2200 KM long, porous and mountainous terrain. Afghanistan needs to understand the border management is the common issue benefiting both the countries. In this regard, there needs to be a strong communication and coordination with the Afghan government to remove misunderstandings and concerns Afghanistan have regarding the border issue.

Following NAP, Pakistan has taken some very important steps: 1) Rangers deployment in Karachi 2) Combing operations all over Pakistan 3) Anti-terrorism Laws.  As we all are aware of, Karachi had become the most insecure city of the country before the rangers were deployed there by the federal government in consultation with the provincial government. The rangers operation in Karachi proved successful as is reflective by the semblance of peace and security in the city. Since 2013, there has been a sharp reduction in the target-killings and such crimes. The security brings with it the economic growth, spurred by Foreign Direct Investment and Internal Investments. So, it is something laudable, and the credit goes to Federal and Provincial governments, along with the Rangers and Police. Having seen successes in Karachi, such operations, though ‘combing’ in nature have been launched throughout the country.

In line with the counter terrorism policy, the important legislations were made. The acts, such as POPA 2014, amendments in Section 21 EEEE of Anti-terrorist Act were passed to assist the law-enforcement agencies. Besides it, the 21st amendment was passed, which constitutionalised the creation of military courts parallel to the regular judiciary. Although such legislative measures were contravening the fundamental rights, yet they were need of the time as Pakistan had been going through emergency, which requires emergency measures. However, the POPA act is not in force and the 21st amendment is going to expire soon due to the sun-set clause. Still, we have not put any efforts in reforming our judicial system within the two years as was decided while passing 21st amendment.

However, all is not good in Pakistan’s counter terrorism policy. The problem lies with Pakistan’s attitude towards the problem of terrorism. Basically, Pakistan’s policy is reactive in nature. It only acts in response to the incident/event, rather than adopting a pro-active approach to deal with the issue of terrorism. As said above, it has been more than 2 years since NAP is passed, but the major steps as decided under the plan are not achieved. Only the Quetta attack on Aug 8 nudged the government, and the implementation committee has been made to oversee the implementation of NAP.

There are still some issues that are not yet taken up by the government. It includes: a) Madrassa Reforms b) Fata Reforms, c) No differentiation among the terrorist groups, d) Reforming judicial system, e) Reforming civil law enforcement agencies, and f) Rehabilitative efforts. Until all the 20-point agenda under National Action Plan is not achieved, the problem of terrorism would continue to haunt Pakistan