The government’s counter-extremism policy initiative
As the government debates ways and means to ensure the full implementation of NAP, it is heartening to note that it is now preparing to deal with the phenomenon of extremism which creates a conducive environment for the propagation of terrorism. The establishment of the steering committee for the development of the NCEP (the National Counter-Extremism Policy for Pakistan) was a long overdue measure.
Pressure is mounting from religious hardliners to hang Asia Bibi regardless of the court’s verdict, with the Lal Masjid leadership threatening the government of dire consequences if she was released. This amounts to pressurising not only the government but also the courts.
This isn’t the first time that lack of tolerance has gained prominence in the country. Sectarianism, another overt form of religious extremism, has caused a lot of suffering over the last three decades. Sectarian terrorists have targeted minorities and launched attacks on their places of worship. The steering committee which has been assigned the task of formulating the National Counter Extremism Policy is therefore highly welcome.
Extremist mindset is often imbibed from environment in schools. There is a need for a review of the text books with an aim to eradicate traces of extremist thinking and to impart a tolerant outlook. The black and white view of the world which strengthens extremist thinking needs to be replaced with moderate outlook The steering committee needs to engage the media also for the propagation of a tolerant world view.
Though multiple stakeholders have already given their input, it is good to know that provincial chief secretaries and IGPs will also be included in the process to create – to quote one newspaper – “a realistic implementable policy document”. There are also a number of civil society organisations within Pakistan which are working on the resolution of these particular problems. The committee, while it prepares for the submission of its first draft proposal in November 2016, would do well to seek inputs from them as well.