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nce the noise of gunfire drowned out the sounds of school bells in the scenic valleys of Swat and tribal areas like Khyber, education and normal life were interrupted by waves of militant violence. Today, the story is changing. Many schools are functioning again in places where girls once feared to stepoutside their homes. Many families displaced due to extremist threats have returned to rebuild their homes. Tourist activity in Swat and adjoining areas is witnessing a revival. The resilience of the people and the response of the Pakistani state have led to a remarkable, if hard-earned, turnaround in regions previously under the control or influence of violent non-state actors.
The Fitna al-Khawarijlabel for extremist militant networks might sound like ideological branding, but actual record reveals a pattern of criminality, ruthless violence and organised disruption. The group has repeatedly targeted civilians, security forces, journalists, education infrastructure and social reformers. Its attacks are not isolated incidents—they represent a broad anti-state agenda rooted in coercion, fear and destruction.
From blowing up girls’ schools in Swat to targeted killing of polio workers, militants’ actions have not represented political expression in a civilisedsense—they have been assaults on the fundamental human rights of Pakistan’s citizens. The best remembered example has been the Army Public School attack in Peshawar in 2014, where more than 140 people, most of them schoolchildren, were murdered. That massacre became a turning point, galvanising a unified response from the government, military, civil society and the public at large.
In response to the rising threat, Pakistan launched major military operations such as Operation Zarb-i-Azb (2014) and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (2017). These counter-terrorism campaigns aimed to dismantle the militant infrastructure in both tribal areas and major urban centres. As a result, thousands of militant hideouts were destroyed, weapons caches seized and key leadership figures of various banned outfits neutralised or arrested.
The restructuring of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and their merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwaprovince was another milestone. This move aimed to bring the neglected regions into the national mainstream, providing civic facilities, ensuring rule of law and closing the governance vacuum that extremists had long exploited.
The National Counter Terrorism Authority and the National Action Plan became institutional pillars for improving coordination between civil and military intelligence, regulating religious seminaries, controlling hate speech and countering terrorist financing.
The response was not limited to military and government circles. One of the defining features of Pakistan’s anti-terror struggle has been the courage and resilience of its citizens.
Many educators in Swat resumed classes while still under mortal threat. Local journalists continued reporting in hostile environments. Civil society organisations launched campaigns for peace and youth rehabilitation. Parents who had lost children in the APS became advocates for change, demanding stricter policies and accountability. Female students, including in conservative and conflict-hit districts, have continued their studies—some even under armed escort—demonstrating an unshakable commitment to learning.
Local communities also began forming peace committees and neighborhood watch groups to assist security agencies and resist militant influence. In some tribal districts, traditional jirgashave worked closely with state officials to deny safe havens to extremists.
In response to the escalating threat, Pakistan launched major military operations such as Operation Zarb-i-Azb (2014) and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (2017). These counter-terrorism campaigns aimed to dismantle the infrastructure of militant groups in both tribal areas and major urban centres.
The media also played a significant role in challenging extremist propaganda. News networks, documentaries, public service announcements and social media campaigns helped educate citizens on the dangers of extremism and the importance of civic resilience. Moreover, youth-led digital movements emerged, fostering critical thinking and promoting national unity.
Various NGOs and think tanks launched counter-narrative programs aimed at de-radicalising vulnerable individuals and communities. These programmes, based on psychological rehabilitation, vocational training and ideological reorientation, have seen moderate success, though more long-term investment is required.
Despite its internal challenges, Pakistan has made substantial sacrifices in the global war on terror. Over 80,000 lives—civilian and military—have been lost. According to various government and international reports, the economic cost to Pakistan has crossed $120 billion since 2001. Yet, recognition from the international community has remained inconsistent, often shadowed by scepticism or geopolitical considerations.
Pakistan continues to face the fallout of regional instability. Cross-border sanctuaries for terrorists in neighboring countries have posed persistent threats. The recent wave of attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa highlights the ongoing risk posed by groups operating from outside Pakistan’s borders.
The global community must understand that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism fight is not a symbolic exercise—it is a real, sustained effort that demands collaboration, intelligence sharing and diplomatic support. Sanction regimes must also apply pressure on states that shelter or finance such entities.
What distinguishes groups like these from mainstream discourse is their rejection of democratic values, civic institutions, education and social development. Their objective is not governance or reform—it is chaos and control. Their ideology offers no constructive path, no economic blueprint and no social services. All they seek is a monopoly over fear.
Their suppression of women, rejection of education, silencing of the press and destruction of civic infrastructure are not merely tactical—they are strategic aims designed to roll back progress. The destruction of schools is not incidental. It is part of a long-term plan to enforce ignorance and submission.
While military operations have created space for peace, long-term stability will depend on reconstruction, development and youth engagement. Investment in education, healthcare, employment and local governance in affected regions is essential. Security must be accompanied by services and victory over militancy must translate into opportunities for the youth.
Pakistan has already begun projects for rebuilding schools, hospitals and homes in the affected districts. Roads and telecommunications infrastructure are improving. More importantly, enrollment in schools—especially for girls—is rising. These indicators suggest that public trust is getting restored, though challenges remain in some peripheral areas.
The de-radicalisation and reintegration programmes need further expansion. Special attention should be given to the rehabilitation of child soldiers, orphans and the youth exposed to extremist indoctrination. National unity must be reinforced through inclusive narratives, civic education and political transparency.
Pakistan’s war against militancy is more than counter-insurgency—it is a national movement to reclaim the right to live without fear. This militant represents regression, brutality and lawlessness. Pakistan represents the opposite: recovery, reconstruction and resolve.
This is not a war over theology. It is a war over territory, minds and future. It is a war where textbooks compete with bullets, where a girl’s right to education competes with the barrel of a gun. Pakistan is showing that progress is possible, even under siege.
The battle is far from over, but the message is clear: the people of Pakistan have chosen schools over slogans, hospitals over hideouts, peace over fear. No amount of violence can erase that choice.
The author works for The News. He extensively covers militancy and security issues. He can be contacted at sherali9984gmail.com