Terrorism" has been defined as an organised system of

intimidation or the practice of using violence to obtain

political demands.But in the world of today this word has
acquired deeper and wider meanings.Now terrorists indulge
in suicide bombing,mass murders,burglaries,arson,hijacking,
kidnapping,for ransom,and torture of the worst order.All this
is happening not in some particular country but almost all the
countries of the world are facing the most horrible threat of
violence.Terrorism are operating with impunity with no regard
to justice or injustice.One can recall the English Philosopher,
Thomas Hobbes,who in 1651 described human life in the following
Words:
"No arts;no letters;no society;and which is the worst of all,
continual fesr and danger of violent death,and the life of man,
solitary,poor,nasty,brutish and short"
Isn't this the social and political milieu we are living in today?in
Pakistan,terrorism has assumed a frightening form.Every day the
newspapers carry horrible stories of organised violence,murders,bomb blasts,
rapes corruption,torture and brutality.People are now divided along the lines
of ethnicity,sect,tribe,clan and biradari-based politics.Pessimism,mistrust,animosity
and cynicism are rampant.Vast areas of the country are beyond the pale of the law.Tish
deplorable and alarming situation demands serious and sincere consideration and some
instant solution.But before trying to find out some viable solution to this problem
we must analyse the factors that are causing this evil to spread so rapidly and widely.
In Pakistan there are three main causes of terrorism:Political,religious and economic.More
than 80% of our population is illiterate.They cannot distinguish between good and bad.So
they can easily fall a prey to temptation or intimidation.Our selfish and power-hungry
politicians take advantage of their simplicity and stupidity.They put such slogans in
their mouth as help them achieve only their vested interests negating the larger
interests of the people or the country.Mushroom growth of the political parties have
worsened the situation .People have been divided into small political,religious or
regional groups.They are made to fight with one another on the ground of just petty
issues.Similar is the game that some so-called religious leaders are playing withthe religious
emotions of the innocent but ignorant people.