Growing Terrorism in Pakistan: Narrative and Facts

By Mujahid Husain Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 7 January 2023 Ever Since We Gave In To The Persuasive Influence Of A Word Called "Narrative," Only "Narrative" Has Flourished, With All Other Issues Receding Into The Background. Main Points: 1. We will continue to be the target of terrorists until terrorism and those who support it are dealt with seriously and effectively. 2. The situation is getting out of hand, and perhaps this time, no powerful, resourceful country from abroad will even provide us with financial assistance. ------ Experts are once more discussing why there are more instances of extremism in the country. Following the most recent terrorist acts, the debate was anticipated, and it was widely believed that we would end it by formally attributing these incidents to our neighbours. What happened was that our Ministry of Interior and Foreign Affairs revealed what seemed to be good discoveries about an attack that occurred in Lahore last year, but all of this information was incredibly out-of-date and, in some cases, already known to the public. This information was considered to be incredibly explosive and a breakthrough that would force the government to treat the topic seriously due to the importance of these issues for our country as a whole. It is uncertain how seriously it was treated, but something must have happened because organizations that were formerly seen to be extremely good at preventing radicalism have surely lost that ability over time. The counterterrorism organization CTD in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most recent instance of this. Although information about the incident was given to the media after a thorough investigation during the hostage incident at the Bannu counterterrorism agency, the specific information contained such horrifying details that it can be inferred to what extent our significant institutions of this kind lack training and necessary equipment. The compound where this incident took place had a few untrained guards allocated to the most dangerous prisoners, and one of them grabbed the opportunity to turn the entire place into a battlefield. Those who are aware of what transpired afterward don't want to tell anyone else, and those who are aware of what happened are unable to describe it. Ever since we gave in to the persuasive influence of a word called "narrative," only "narrative" has flourished, with all other issues receding into the background. When the emphasis is placed on "narrative-creation" and it is extensively disseminated through social media, it may be assumed that all the requirements of the subject the narrative was made about have also been met. For instance, after 2014, a national narrative claimed that the security forces of the state had defeated terrorism. It was reported that the security forces eliminated all terrorist infrastructure as well as the terrorist cells and support groups across the country with the help of the people. This kind of narrative was desperately needed because there was a lot of discussion about the state at all levels and there was conjecture worldwide that Pakistan would turn into a tunnel for terrorists. The fundamental blunder made in this case was to provide the false impression—under the sway of narrative—that the terrorists had been eliminated and that there was no reason to be alarmed. Although it would have been more appropriate and effective to announce that the terrorists had been driven from the country and that the government would now work to establish circumstances that would prevent them from reuniting and returning. Naturally, under this type of concept, the necessary actions would have been inevitable, with the help of which a better strategy regarding the hotspots of terrorism would have been adopted, and a thorough policy regarding the neighbouring countries, especially Afghanistan, would have been developed on how to deal with these violent groups and their remnants who have fled to Afghanistan after operations by security agencies here, as well as how to deal with them if they try to resurface. All of these unpleasant truths, however, were concealed by the word "narrative," and there was a rumour going about that the terrorists' backs had been broken. It was unquestionably a great success, but at a price of more than 70,000 Pakistani lives lost and billions of dollars in lost revenue. Along with this, the state's reputation abroad suffered. After suffering such great loss, it was essential to move beyond meaningless platitudes and implement a variety of practical and long-term solutions. Once more, we are in the same location, and our narrative is no longer relevant. Recent reports indicate that terrorists have attacked again with full force, and since there have been so many reports about them, fear is starting to spread. What will happen if this series resumes? Can we enclose that 'narrative' and use it to create a barrier that will keep terrorists out of our public spaces, businesses, markets, and institutions as well as our own citizens? Or will Necta, a multibillion-rupee institution, just issue a high alert and shut down operations? Will declarations to that effect be made by our federal and provincial interior ministries, stating that there is a terrorism threat and that threat will be eliminated? Or will they be able to beg the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which on August 15 of last year declared the historic victory of Afghanistan in the Islamic world, to stop supporting terrorists who wish to murder our innocent children? We will continue to be the target of terrorists until terrorism and those who support it are dealt with seriously and effectively. The future of our children will be in danger as long as local terrorist sympathizers are not eliminated and decisions are made based on certain entrenched interests. Until state and national authorities take this threat seriously, terrorists will remain committed to destroying our country. The situation is getting out of hand, and perhaps this time, no powerful, resourceful country from abroad will even provide us with financial assistance. The political problem is not being resolved, and our economic catastrophe is getting worse every day. The country is heading toward anarchy as the federation and the provinces are at odds with one another. Remember that this time we might not even be able to develop a narrative if at the same time, the looming threat of terrorism materializes. Additionally, unanimity and uniformity are needed for narrative construction, which we currently lack. --- Urdu Article: Terrorism in Pakistan: Narrative and Facts پاکستان میں دہشت گردی، بیانیہ اور حقائق URL: https://newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/terrorism-pakistan-narrative-facts/d/128816 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism