Combating Terrorists and Extremists Is Mandatory for Pakistan

By Asad Mufti Translated from Urdu by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 8 June 2024 The End of Terrorism in Pakistan Is Necessary! Main Points 1. Asif Ali Zardari, has announced that fighting against terrorists and extremists is essential for Pakistan. 2. Indian Foreign Minister emphasizes the need to prevent terrorism and anti-India activities before improving the relationship with Pakistan. 3. Pakistani community adheres to moderation and religious tolerance, similar to the Indian community 4. India became increasingly secular after partition thanks to the legalization of moderate traditions, democracy, tolerance, and secularism. 5. Sufis and Dervishes have significantly shaped the cultural landscape of both nations. 6. Forceful methods should not be used to protect fundamental principles of religion. 7. Pakistani religious leaders have reinterpreted the concept of Jihad to serve their own agendas, leading to the world viewing Jihad as terrorism. 8. Extremism is a symptom of a disease that includes adopting one's opinions as absolute truths and forcing them on others. -------- The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has declared that combating terrorists and extremists is mandatory for Pakistan. The terrorist groups undoubtedly possess a specific political goal they aim to achieve by imposing their will on us and gaining control by means of violence. However, my administration will prevent them from pursuing such actions. Conversely, the Indian Foreign Minister has reiterated in a recent interview that the primary focus must be to prevent terrorism and anti-India activities before any advancement can occur in the relationship between the two countries. It is imperative to take action against the terrorist groups in Pakistan that carry out activities inside India. My issue is that, as I am sitting here in Amsterdam, Netherlands, I realise that all we had was a dream, and all that remains is hope, I am waiting for a genuine friendship to blossom between the two nations. The state of law and order in Pakistan is well-known to all. The measures India has implemented to enhance ties with Pakistan are designed to achieve genuine peace and safety across the subcontinent. This is the position Asif Zardari has expressed, emphasizing his reputation for fostering friendships, peace, and unity between India and Pakistan. President Asif Zardari is fundamentally an optimistic individual, and I genuinely believe that his assessment of terrorists is entirely accurate. Our history demonstrates that no issue has ever been resolved in this place by force, hostility, or dictatorship, and even when it has, the solution may not be permanent. The employment of propaganda, cold war and pointless confrontation have not benefited Pakistan or India in any way. The vast majority of people in both nations believe that neither Pakistan nor India have gained anything from this unnecessary dispute or the sixty years of propaganda and rivalry between them. I believe that the Pakistani community also adheres to principles of moderation and religious tolerance, similar to that of the Indian community. However, it is worth noting that following the partition, India became increasingly secular compared to Pakistan, thanks to the legalization of moderate traditions, democracy, tolerance, and secularism. It is undeniable that Sufis and Dervishes have significantly shaped the cultural landscape of both nations. If not now, then perhaps in the future, the radicalism present here must die. If the roots of an extremist plant are not in the ground, they will never grow into a tree. This radicalism, whether it stems from religious beliefs or societal issues, is completely unacceptable. Individuals who provoke violence or fear for political gains and aim at specific groups are engaging in total terrorism. Such behaviours must be denounced from every aspect of society, every social class, and in all locales; politics and violence are incompatible and have no place together. Many immature individuals, including my fellow writers, hold the mistaken view that the fundamental principles of religion can only be protected by using forceful methods. This idea is completely wrong. There might indeed be some truth in what others say. Not every conversation you have is bad, and not every one of theirs is either. I consider extremism to be a symptom rather than a disease. Symptoms of the disease include adopting one's opinions as absolute truths and forcing them on other people. These days, some Pakistani religious leaders have reinterpreted the concept of Jihad to better serve their own agendas, and the phrase is being used in a way that has led to the world viewing Jihad as terrorism. Although the majority of people believe that terrorists are not religious—thus, are they communists? —terrorists are undoubtedly inspired by radicalism, ideology, and religion. Ultimately, I wish to convey to those in power that if they genuinely want to fight extremism and terrorism, they need to realize that if these extremists, terrorists, combatants, militants, libertarians, Fedayeen, and others are not addressed promptly, the country will face even more problems. If the country keeps facing these issues, chaos will ensue, and chaos can lead to events beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Maybe this entire setting is reflected in this poem I wrote. Aadhi Sadi Guzar Gayi Baaligh Na Ho Saka Aye Kishwar-E-Haseen, Teri Qismat Kharab Hai [A half-century gone by, Yet still you remain a minor, Oh lovely country, oh my, You're having terrible luck, no finer.] ------ Urdu Article: The End of Terrorism Is Necessary! !دہشت گردی کا خاتمہ ضروری URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/combating-terrorists-extremists-pakistan/d/132471 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