The new Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal dashed to Quetta after the bomb attack this month in which at least 15 people, including eight security personnel, lost their lives. His gesture of concern and commitment was widely applauded by the public and raised trust in the government. Following the visit, he initiated deliberation over implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) and gave directions to activate National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). These steps, especially effective implementation of NAP, are the need of the hour.
NAP, a roadmap to counter terrorism and extremism in Pakistan, was formed after the Army Public School Peshawar massacre in 2014. It took off with aplomb and appeared to be handling the issues related to extremism and terrorism quite well. The frequency of terrorist incidents diminished and the extremists backed off. But unfortunately, within months, the NAP succumbed to its inherent defects and debilities. The first and foremost flaw in NAP was that it was not backed and supported with how-to-do-it mechanism. There was no mention of specific responsibilities of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, timelines, allocation of resources, priorities, modus operandi etc.
We could have easily learnt a lesson from other democracies of the world that successfully handled terrorism in their countries, especially the UK, with which we have cultural and organizational affinity. Its CT strategy, CONTEST, formulated to address the threats of international terrorism, was a good example to be followed with certain modifications and alterations according to our requirements.
The makers of NAP and the experts did not realise that 20 points were a tall order, way beyond the capacity and capabilities of the LEAs and intelligence agencies to handle all at the same time effectively. Furthermore the mechanism of implementation and monitoring of NAP lacked clarity.
Resultantly NAP’s innate flaws and deficiencies came to fore as soon the rubber met the road. The first outcome was uneven implementation in all provinces, which varied according to the level of will, capacity and coordination. Punjab, however, showed some positive results because the Chief Minister led the campaign from the front. He tried to maintain the famous, ‘Punjab Speed’ in implementation of NAP but as terrorism and extremism are not localised issues restricted to Punjab, the results remained below par.
Terrorism has the capacity to change its form and shape to deflect and deceive the counter measures. The terrorists who had fled away due to operation Zarb-e-Azb or were holed up due to initial blow of NAP, keep bouncing back to make their presence felt. Year 2017 has been the bloodiest ever since military operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched and NAP was introduced. Lahore has faced at least four suicide attacks between February and August 2017. Balochistan has been worst hit due to attacks on Shia community, civilian targets and the forces. KP has faced its share of horrendous terrorist attacks in various cities, especially in Parachinar. The spate of violence in Karachi, especially target killing of police officers, has again gained momentum.
Latest incidents show that terrorism has taken a slightly new form. The old wine has been poured into new bottles. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, who were neutralised and flushed out of Waziristan, have taken refuge in Kunar and Nooristan in Afghanistan. They launch calculated attacks into Pakistan from there. This dimension of cross-border incursions and counter allegations on us by Kabul need to be added in NAP.
In a report published by PILDAT, I had pointed out that NAP is a promising document which can deliver if properly implemented and monitored at the level of the Interior Minister, the Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister. Ministry of Interior and provincial Home Departments should procure regular reports from the LEAs, intelligence agencies and civil society groups on specially designed proformas. The same should be provided to the NAP committees so that they could analyse the reports and prepare final reports for the CMs and the PM. The barometer of satisfactory performance should not be quantitative but qualitative too. The analysis of progress should have bearing on the concerned departments and the ministries. Shortcomings and shortfalls must be pointed out and solutions should be given to overcome the same.
It was feared that with ever rising political wrangling and squabbles the focus of all stakeholders would be strayed and strategy-less NAP would take a back seat. We cannot let this happen because the stakes are too be left high and dry. At this critical juncture we cannot afford any slackness in addressing the thorniest problem of Pakistan. Unwavering enthusiasm of all concerned to tackle the hydra of terrorism will not only infuse hope in the people of Pakistan but would be considered an act of solidarity with the rest of the world that is also traumatised with frequent dreadful acts of terrorism.
The writer is Honorary Director Centre for Peace and Security Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Masters in International Security, War Studies Department, King’s College London. Tweets at N Elahi@Aaibak
Published in Daily Times, August 22nd 2017.