Security policy must include vigilant supervision of seminaries

Islamabad
A coherent and dynamic internal security policy must include a vigilant supervision of ‘madrassas’ and a close coordination among the security apparatus.
The remarks were made in a seminar titled ‘Internal Security Policy of Pakistan: Post Peshawar APS Attack’, organised by National Defence University in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation Islamabad. The discussion was aimed at highlighting the importance of combating menace of terrorism in the country.
The experts were of the opinion that threats to the general peace range from low-level civil disorder, large-scale violence, or even an armed insurgency but the biggest threat Pakistan is facing today is internal. They said that in these internal threats, the external forces play their role by either committing or sponsoring terrorism or rebellion, without actually getting into war or conflict. They suggested integrated efforts through an institutionalised monitoring framework under national leadership to elicit support and cooperation of local and international stakeholders.
Former Ambassador Ashraf Jahangir Qazi said that Pakistan needs structure rather than a policy to eradicate terrorism. “Terrorism is not only Pakistan’s problem. In fact it is a global problem. It should not be only the symptoms of terrorism to which we should respond to, but the root causes of terrorism and extremism must also be addressed.”
He said that it’s not only army’s job but the civilian government must also come forward and more importantly people should also be included into any policy that is meant to eliminate terrorism. “Besides this, economic opportunities must be created for the deprived segment of the population,” he suggested.
Major General Mohammad Saad Khattak briefed participants about the progress of operation Zarb-e-Azb and other counter-terrorism operations conducted by the Army. He said that due to the operation, North Waziristan is no more a hub of local and foreign terrorists.
“Prior to the operation, almost all terrorist attacks were traced to North Waziristan, but now as a large part of North Waziristan and Khyber agency had been cleared, this has resulted in 50 per cent drop in terrorist attacks throughout the country.”
He further said that Tehreek-e-Taliban has disintegrated into different splinter groups without any unified leadership, or command and control centre. “Terrorists are not only being hit in Fata, but more than 1,500 terrorists and their accomplices had been arrested, and their cells busted through intelligence-based operations across the country. As a result of Zarb-e-Azb large number of terrorists are being killed, some have escaped across the border, or have dislocated to other parts of the country which are being followed.” He said that eradication of terrorism is not only Army’s job, therefore, the civilian government must also come forward and play a more active role in this regard.
Renowned journalist and writer Zahid Hussain presented his views on the National Action Plan (NAP). He said that it is ill-drafted which makes it weak. “The plan does not include plan for sectarian and band outfits as well as ‘Madrassas’ reforms have not being dealt with. Consensus by diverse political parties, as we have been doing since long, means no policy,” he opined. He suggested blocking the sources of terrorist funding and a complete media blackout of terrorist and their sympathisers. Earlier, in his welcome address, Head of the Department International Relations, NDU, Dr Mohammad Khan emphasised the need of peace for socio-economic uplift of the people. He added that the dynamics of security as well as the nature of threats had changed in the contemporary world.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation’s representative Kristoff Duwearts spoke about the aim and purpose of the seminar. He also highlighted his foundation’s work in Pakistan for the larger purpose of education of democracy in Pakistan.
During the seminar, it was also emphasised that police, security services and other civilian institutions needed to be strengthened and that NAP should be implemented across the country.