Navigating the Threat Landscape: A Study on Counter-terrorism Measures in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan, unfortunately, has been a victim of both extremism and terrorism for the past three decades. It is mainly due to Pakistan’s geostrategic compulsions as well as bad domestic policies and lack of commitment by the policy elites. The aftermath of September 11 and the joining of War on Terror by the then President, as a front-line state, further brought perils for the country, the jolts of which are still visible. Pakistan needs proper policy making and pragmatic approach to handle the situation and further, proactive foreign and domestic policies must be adopted, along-with intelligence sharing mechanisms to counter this religious extremism and terrorism. There is dire need to address the internal factors like socio-economic inequality, political disorder, corruption, poverty and bad governance at priority basis, along-with start of national dialogue with all the stakeholders to reach at some sort of consensus for the national security purposes.