Daily Times

Prior to the induction of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in 2013, no cohesive and comprehensive policy was orchestrated to fight the menace of terrorism and religious extremism that posed an existentialist threat to the country. Though military actions were taken against terrorists in Swat, South Waziristan and Malakand, the overall response lacked commitment and national ownership. For some inexplicable reasons, North Waziristan, which was the fortress of terrorist outfits, was not touched, resulting in continuous planning and executing of terrorists’ acts throughout the country.

Nevertheless, the PML-N government gave top priority to tackling the scourge of terrorism. It initiated a process of dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) with a nod from all stakeholders, including all political parties represented in parliament. Unfortunately, that initiative failed to produce the desired results due to unyielding stubbornness of the TTP. The tipping point came when terrorists launched an attack at the Karachi airport. Government, military establishment, and the entire political leadership responded to this dastardly act without any loss of time, and initiated the Operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists in North Waziristan.

When terrorists as a retaliatory measure unfurled the horrendous attack on the Army Public School, Peshawar, a comprehensive national response called the National Action Plan (NAP) was devised to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and religious extremism from the country. The Operation Zarb-e-Azb has achieved tremendous success. Almost the entire infrastructure of terrorist outfits in North Waziristan has been dismantled, and the entire area cleared of terrorists. The process of repatriation and rehabilitation of the IDPs is in full swing. More than 61 percent of the families have been sent back to their native places, and the operation is expected to be completed by end of December this year.

The success of the operation Zarb-e-Azb created space for successful implementation of NAP, and action against terrorists, their supporters, abettors and sleeping cells throughout the country. The major elements of the 20-point NAP were establishment of military courts, countering hate speech, choking financing for terrorist organisations, registration and regulation of seminaries, ban on glorification of terrorism and terrorist organisations through print and electronic media, execution of convicted terrorists, not allowing the proscribed outfits and armed groups to function in the country, administrative reforms in FATA, taking the Karachi operation to its logical end, firmly dealing with sectarian terrorists, zero tolerance for militancy in Punjab, and empowering Balochistan government for political reconciliation with complete ownership by all stakeholders.

While the achievements of Zarb-e-Azb received tremendous coverage and appreciation in the media, and consequently, people eulogised the sacrifices and commitment with which the army conducted the operation, the progress made under NAP, somehow, has been failed to be acknowledged the way it deserved to be. There has also been criticism of the alleged slowness of the implementation of NAP, which is contrary to ground realities and lack of understanding of the complexities and sensitivities involved in the speedy implementation of some of the elements of NAP.

It would perhaps be pertinent to recount the achievements of NAP since its initiation to see how it has gone in meeting its objectives and supplementing Zarb-e-Azb. To provide for the establishment of military courts for two years an amendment was made in the constitution. Moratorium on execution of convicted terrorists and murderers was lifted. The Karachi operation continued with unruffled commitment, which has led to considerable reduction in incidents of terrorism, target killings and extortions. Balochistan is fast returning to normalcy, and government is in constant touch with the exiled Baloch leaders. A five-member committee has also been formed to initiate the process of reforms in FATA.

The action on other elements of NAP is also being carried out simultaneously. According to details provided by NACTA chief at a press briefing, 70,000 terrorists have been hauled up till now, and 8,852 militants belonging to proscribed outfits have also been apprehended from different parts of the country. Courtesy 177, the newly-established helpline, 14,000 people have been nabbed. Security forces have carried out 54,376 search operations so far, and 3,019 intelligence-based operations have been undertaken. Law enforcement agencies have sealed 102 seminaries for fanning extremism, including 87 seminaries in Sindh, 13 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and two in Punjab; all had links to banned groups.

The state bank has frozen 126 accounts of proscribed organisations with a cumulative deposit of over one billion rupees. Law enforcement agencies have recovered Rs 251.2 million in cash, which was being traded through hawala and hundi.

In regard to hate speech, 1,961 suspects have been arrested, and 1,893 cases filed against clerics out of which 271 have been convicted, while 826 cases are still pending before special courts. Government has biometrically verified, and blocked 98.3 million SIMs, dismantling communication network of terrorists. Police in Punjab has conducted 33,772 combing operations, and 5,549 cases have been registered, besides the arrest of 24,436 suspected criminals.

The Counter Terrorism Department has arrested 40 hardcore terror activists, and 547 cases have been registered for publication of hate material. Number of terrorists killed stands at 2,159; under the Anti-terrorist Act, 332 people have been executed. At least, 933 URLs and 10 websites have been blocked. In Balochistan, 625 fugitives have surrendered. There has been 27 percent decrease in crime rate in Punjab. Glorification of terrorism and terrorist organisations in print and electronic media has been effectively checked through administrative measures and cooperation of media. Government has fixed 31 December as the deadline for return of Afghan refugees. The progress of the implementation of NAP is constantly reviewed by apex committees and a special committee under the prime minister.

As is evident from the foregoing facts, the pace and extent of the implementation of NAP has been quite satisfactory in regard to major areas of concern, contrary to the impression being given by certain circles. There is no dearth of commitment and sincerity on the part of the government. Yes in certain areas due to religious, cultural and social sensitivities as well as some legal impediments the progress has not been as rapid as one would have liked it to be. What is needed to be understood is that terrorism and religious extremism have widely penetrated into our social fibre with all its complexities. It cannot be eliminated with the push of a button.

Apart from military and law enforcement aspects, we are also confronted with the ideological challenges, which take time to be tackled. The example of countries that went through similar experiences in the recent past is before us. It took Sri Lanka and Italy more than two decades to subdue the phenomenon. Our situation is more complex than theirs as it also has foreign dimensions to it. It needs sustained and committed efforts by all state institutions as well as society over a long period of time to get rid of the phenomenon of terrorism and religious extremism.

The writer is an Islamabad-based professional services consultant. He can be reached at omerraja@live.com and on Twitter @raj_omer