Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Counter-Terrorism Strategies in FATA and Swat from 2008-2013

Abstract

This paper focuses on the counter-terrorism policies of the Pakistan People Party (PPP), which came into power in 2008 through general election, after the death of its supreme leader, Benazir Bhutto on 27th November 2007 at Liaqat Bagh, Rawalpindi during a political rally. Following the democratic political leader’s assassination, public openly criticized the failure of President Pervez Musharraf’s counter-terror approaches. In 2008, Pakistan was already middle of war against Taliban and Al-Qaeda. President Musharraf mixed policies of operations and peace negotiation failed terribly in countering the threat of terrorism in FATA and Khyber Pashtunkhawa (KPK). The Taliban were marching on Islamabad, already occupied Swat and Dir Vally of KPK. The suicide bombers were approaching VVIP places like Marriot Hotel Islamabad and Military General Headquarter (GHQ) Rawalpindi. The government did not have any clear plan in countering the threat. Pakistan’s people Party won the election in February 2008 and established coalition government with Awami National Party (ANP). These two parties were clear on the subject of militancy and terrorism in the country and relationship with the United States. Pakistan is a security centric state.