Daily Times

“Terrorism” and “counter-terrorism” is offered as a degree program around the world in various universities under distinctive departments or centres established in order to conduct research and to offer courses exclusively in the field of terrorism and counter-terrorism. Terrorism is undoubtedly one of the most referred to and discussed area in the realm of politics within Pakistan, as per the relevance of domestic and global security and political developments. It will be safe to say that the question of terrorism is at the centre of international relations today. And, at the apex of this centre lies Pakistan. Keeping in view the current unveiling of U.S. state policy for South Asia under Trump regime, Pakistan has been alleged of harbouring terrorist safe havens within its territorial boundaries; this subsequently places the Pakistani nation into a position of dichotomy. Pakistan faces the challenge of addressing misconceptions regarding the country’s association with terrorism, and on the other hand, the challenge of actually fighting terrorism internally.

However, it is strange that the large number of population in Pakistan is not aware of the meaning of terrorism, or to be more elaborative they are unable to identify an act of violence as an act of “terrorism” or “not-an-act-of-terrorism”, therefore it makes terrorism a completely confusing idea to grasp, and an unrecognizable phenomena as a whole, consequently leading laymen with meager knowledge about the phenomena fall prey to the terrorist ideologies portrayed as a legitimate way to acquire socio-political goals.

Two steps need to be taken in order to address this dichotomy. Firstly, the development of a counter-narrative against the global narrative directed towards Pakistan in order to enlighten the efforts the state has made for countering terrorism both domestically and internationally. Secondly, restructuring of the national narrative against terrorism within the country, and formation of a unified national strategy.

International Counter-Terrorism Law is taught at the Harvard Law School USA, as part of the degree program in Law. The course focuses on the variety of different aspects of terrorism and counter-terrorism post and pre-September 11’ 2001 attacks in the USA.  Case studies from Australia and other counter-terrorism laws are highlighted in order to understand counter-terrorism in depth. Similarly, there are various Universities in the United Kingdom which offer Masters Degree programs in terrorism and counter-terrorism.

Universities in Pakistan extensively study terrorism as part of their courses on governance, conflict resolution and political science, however, a well sought out curriculum specifically for a course to be offered for awareness regarding counter-terrorism, is scarce. National Internal Security Policy (NISP), and National Action Plan ( NAP) passed respectively and unanimously in 2014 and 2015 also emphasize the need to establish a role of civil society, academia and other social institutions in order to solidify counter-terrorism at the grass root.

Interior minister, Khawaja Asif has recently conceded to what the world has been reiterating for a while, for Pakistan to focus on domestic, home-based terrorist organizations as far as counter-terrorism is concerned, or in other words, Pakistan needs to place their own house in order, while also countering challenges associated with cross-border terrorism. The international narrative on Pakistan’s unresolved relationship with terrorism is also identified as a cause of regional, bilateral and multilateral resentments and skirmishes specifically emphasized upon by traditional rival, India. Such a challenge at hand requires being countered with a generation well informed about the most paralyzing dilemma faced by the country since the last two decades.

During BRICs summit held in India lately, where countries unanimously pointed towards Pakistan, including China as a country which is a source of terrorism in the region, Prime Minister Narendra  Modi declared Pakistan as “mother ship” of terrorism, weeks after India called Pakistan the “Ivy League of terrorism” at the United Nations.

There is a dire need for a national narrative for countering the international onslaught against Pakistan headed by the Indian interests. On the other hand, an equally unifying national narrative in order to counter internal challenges like sectarian violence, minority persecution which emanate from the core sentiments of extremism, is required for the success of national counter-terrorism efforts.

However, there are not enough well-organized courses to achieve the goals, especially the ones with an aim to make counter-terrorism a national cause.

Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore has initiated a course titled “terrorism & counter-terrorism” with a curriculum duly planned to teach both the theory on terrorism and the policies passed by the Pakistan’s parliament and their implementation for counter-terrorism. The B.S degree in Political Science includes the course on counter-terrorism for students to realize their role as stakeholders and an important part of the solution to the national issue, and to be able to recognize the problem that has caused the nation a great loss over the period of time.

Similarly, Minhaj University, under the School of Peace & counter-terrorism studies has initiated a degree program at both BS and Masters Level, in which courses are duly planned to study both the international perspectives and Pakistan’s question of terrorism.

The role of media and civil society and the public, in general, is at the core of counter-terrorism as terrorism is always directed at causing polarization and confusion among the people to achieve their goals. Therefore, it is high time the public’s role should be established as the most imperative entity in the war against terrorism.