Daily Times

For those who have ever wondered why Pakistan continues to dominate the media headlines in recent years, the exact answers to the question are presented in this book. Many fail to grasp the gravity and the complexity of the threat that emerges from within and simultaneously impacts both regional and international security. For this reason, contextualising the militancy in Pakistan and the region becomes imperative not only to demystify common perceptions but also to plan a long-term strategy to counter the serious threat of terrorism. Against this backdrop, Pakistan: Terrorism Ground Zero by Rohan Gunaratna and Khuram Iqbal offer an interesting and compelling case of how Pakistan became an epicentre of global terrorism over the years. Ultimately, this work demonstrates why grasping the complex nature of the threat is paramount in winning a crucial battle against the global war on terror.

The authors introduce the readers to the backdrop of the problem currently faced by Pakistan. The negligence of the international community in handling the aftermath of the Cold War and the policies promulgated by Islamabad vis-à-vis the insurgents proved to be a strategic blunder, which could eventually prove fatal to Pakistan in the long run.

Starting with an explanation of tribal Pakistan as the epicentre of global terrorism, Gunaratna and Iqbal depict the manner in which the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) emerged as a new headquarters of al Qaeda and the global jihad movement. The book subsequently shifts the focus on mapping out the myriad insurgent groups that function under the umbrella of the Pakistani Taliban. The authors detail the generic profile of the sub-groups from their membership, leadership and organisational structure, methods of finance, operational capabilities, to links with other local and international groups. Ultimately, this section depicts the complexity of the Pakistani Taliban, which according to the authors are not a monolithic entity.

The terrorist monster that devours the country takes many forms, the most deadly being the stark rise in suicide attacks in recent years. Although many scholars favour presenting a single overarching theory in explicating the phenomenon, Gunaratna and Iqbal assert otherwise. The motivating forces behind suicide terrorism in Pakistan are an amalgamation of cultural, religious, social, political, and economic factors. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ theory does not truly grasp the suicide terrorist threat that pervades the entire nation and also extends beyond its borders.

The writers also reveal the significance of Karachi as a hub of terrorism in Pakistan. They illustrate the intricate nature of terrorist groups and criminal activities that live side by side with the sectarian and ethnic violence that is rampant in the financial centre of the country. This part of the book illustrates the threat landscape of Pakistan from a distinct outlook. Not only is it crucial to understand the profile of different terrorist outfits operating in the country outside of FATA, the presentation of Karachi in this context highlights the intricate nature of the threat that emanates from the country. As the threat from within inevitably spills over to the region, the authors urge an awakening of the neighbouring countries to fight against their respective domestic instabilities and encourage harmonious relations in preventing the proliferating menace in the region. This deadly anomaly is incurable by Pakistani efforts alone; it requires an unparalleled cooperation of the international community.

The authors give much credit to Pakistan’s unprecedented effort in fighting the war on terrorism alongside the US, contrary to the numerous accusations made against the country as a perpetrator of militancy and terrorism in the region. As Islamabad became the frontline fighter and thus the frontline target of terrorist groups, the nation of Pakistan is now paying the price of countering this menace. The writers exhort the readers to realise the severity and the complication of the anomaly that haunts the country and call for the need to strengthen international cooperation as a way forward in fighting this rigorous battle against Pakistan’s most fatal cancer.

Gunaratna and Iqbal do not rely on abstract academic theories in explicating the anomaly. They excellently carry the readers through the threat landscape in a logical sequence that is substantiated by anecdotal evidence. Simultaneously, this work debunks the common misperceptions and clarifies the confusions that arise from grasping the current trends in Pakistan. This surely is a challenge in itself, which has been achieved by the experts, and the findings presented in this research comprehensively encompass both the domestic and the regional implications of the problems that Pakistan faces.

The experts present an ‘all-in-one’ book, which covers absolutely everything one needs to know about Pakistan’s current security climate — including its backdrop, current situation and recommended policy prescriptions without having to juxtapose complex jargon, concepts and academic theories. The readability of the findings presented by the authors should be digestible for all readers of various backgrounds including policymakers, academics, journalists and students of international security and terrorism. If you have ever wondered what exactly is going on in the ‘ground zero of terrorism’, this book is a must read.

The reviewer is a researcher at the Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP), University of Wollongong, Australia