Terrorism in Pakistan: Causes and Consequences-

By Dharmoon Bhawani, PAS, CSS-2011)

Terrorism in Pakistan has made the life of common man disastrous one. The approaching danger
of terrorism has lost the peace form the very core of globe. Not only Pakistan is suffering from
this disease, but also around the world all countries are facing severs results. Among them
Pakistan is the only fore-front state that is fighting on “War on Terror” along with US as a non-
Nato ally in Afghanistan. But at this time Pakistan is passing through a transitional period of
change in all the spheres of life. Even though it is still trapped in so many problems, which are
not only the product of twenty first century but also are the result of past little mistakes, out of
which such are the results, i.e. the unresolved disputes around the world over territorial and
geographical locations, the repeated attacks of militant organizations, the continual visitation of
Drone attacks in Pakistani territories, cross border infiltration and weapon friendly culture in the
conflicted areas are the stark features of imminent danger in the world.

As far as “War on Terror is concerned, the interior motive of US on “War on Terror” are explicit
in their activities. World is witness to this reality that weaker always suffer the scratches of
powerful, either they are fishes are human being; either they are beast or being. Same is the case
with the Middle East countries, though rich in their resources but powerless in their might and
military. Likewise US has keen eyes over the oil-rich Persian gulf, and far this reason US wants
to have control over the natural resources of Middle East in order to meet the growing demand of
oil.

Though, 64 years have been passed out just in a wink of an eye but the policy of Divide and Rule
till to-day is in practice. Though the formulators of this policy were colonial master’s but it is
promulgated and implemented by American though out the world by adopting stiff measures
against the underdeveloped countries, who are in the arms race. In this regard, Palestinian people
are still facing the same deplorable situation in the Palestine. Same was the case with Iraq war,
which was fought on the name of chemical weapons or nuclear warfare, but in the end result was
naught. That is why, in order to have upper hand over the Middle East countries and over their
untapped resources, the US has created a buffer state like Israel. Now it is obvious in front of the
world that terrorist are those who are suppressed ones and saviors are those who are destroying
the concept of peace and contentment form the very core of earth.

There are so many causes of terrorism in Pakistan, i.e. the growing deplorable law and order
situation form Karachi to Khyber , suicide attacks, repeated target killings in Karachi and unjust
killing of political leaders, lack of proper education, weapon-friendly culture in the tribal areas,
cross border movement of infiltrators, financial bungling in the national assets are not only the
product of terrorism but also leave people in the state of uncertain environment, where the
shadow of hopelessness looms every where, but at this stage peace is the only elusive dream that
is the final soothing balm for all of these usurpations. In order to curb these malaise we need a
government which could wipe out all the vices form the very core of our motherland Pakistan.
Though at present , our governmental agencies, army and our elected leaders are facing the stiff
opposition, but even then need to have a look over bright future based on complete peace and
prosperity in the every walk of life.

There are so many causes which are directly or indirectly the results of terrorism. It has
widespread influence over the world due to too much importance given by mass media. At this
critical juncture Muslim Ummah throughout the world is passing through the racial
discrimination and is compared with terrorists. That is absolutely unjust one. Besides, such types
of attitudes of western countries have generated a deep resentment over them.

If we look at the current position of Pakistan, then it is obvious that we are standing at the cross-
road of clash of civilization. We are facing the gravest ever problems like isolation in political
sphere though it has assumed the role of non-Nato Ally. But in the Western and European nation,
there is big difference between their preaching and practice. The scarf issue in France, the
Ground Zero Mosque in America and repeated attacks on the Muslim Ummah throughout the
world depict the shadow of reality.

The unresolved political disputes throughout the world generate continuous and unending
struggle for freedom. No doubt in the world of twentieth first century , the freedom is the right of
every individual belonging to every nation , then there is a solid reason behind them, why they
are pushed back to the rugged mountains. The world is itself witness to this reality that about the
age long old problems of Kashmir in the sub-continent, the Palestinian Issue in the suburb of
Middle East and apartheid conditions of Sudan and Somalia, the revolt of Chechnya in the
outskirts of Russia and Xingjian usurpation in the western most part of China. All these problems
are either created by the Uncle Sam or by the third party that remained failed to negotiate
between them.

The stance of Al-Qaeda at this stage is that west is propagating the un-Islamic trends in the
Muslim world. However, it seems that preacher of peace i.e., Uncle Sam, is simply propagating
their messages while out-worldly they are having daggers in their bosom for the weaker ones.
Same is the case with Al-Qaeda who is claiming repeatedly that they are fighting for the sake of
wiping out unjust, cruel, loathsome and filthy practices of West.
American failure in Afghanistan is the result of their short-comings. The NATO force which was
playing a hide and seeks game under the command of General Raussmaseen seems loosing spirit
and courage at the very ground level. However, their elected members and officers as well are
merely filling up their bags with dollars. Hardly the infrastructure is improved, only the unending
collateral damage is in practice so far it is concerned. The government of Hamid Karzai faced the
charges of corruption at wide level. The war-lord-ism, the production of Poppy in growing day
by day and the unending cycle of corruption has made the life uglier than it was before. The
failure of American’s and NATO forces has projected their image which is filled with canvas of
blood of innocent people. Though, they are fighting on “War on Terrorism” but their strategy
once again prone to faults as well.

Drone attacks in Afghanistan and geographical pours western border of Pakistan have made the
life of common man prone to psychological disorder and depression. Drone attacks are regularly
practiced in those areas where insurgents are seeking safety and hiding themselves in
underground level. These drones were designed to produce a psychological disorder among those
who are fighting against the US vested interest, but these scientific applications finally produced
a heavy collateral and material loss including innocent people as well. But who knows the
reality, the people especially belonging to the working class are prone to these drone visitations,
drone attacks not only bring infrastructural loss but also countless people are the one who suffer
a lot in the line of action. As drone are unable to differentiate between the culprit and innocent.
Though at some extent it has managed to earn their objects otherwise result is not the productive
but destructive one.

The yester-year Lisbon conference has projected a new pictorial image of Afghanistan and its
rulers. Obama himself uttered in the conference that Karzai has failed to bring Afghan
government on the proposed track. The unchecked corruption has made the life of rich richer and
the life of poor man poorer. Once again new strategy was formulated at the negotiation table and
it was decided that Americans and NATO forces would not exit until and unless the government
is not stabilized. Obama was hopeful that his efforts will bring positive results, but it seemed that
there is coincidence in the policies of Bush and Obama. Now history will prove and remain
witness to this reality, that who have done more harm in the name of “war on terror”. Though,
Pakistan is supporting Afghanistan because it lies in the adjunct to western most Pakistani
border, especially morally and politically as well. But Afghanistan all the times seems
unsatisfied as was the case of demarcation of Durand Line. But even then American, NATO
forces and Pakistani governments as well as military are hopeful that in the end vice will be
punished and virtue will be rewarded.

Analytically, throughout the world it is apparent form the world opinion that terrorism is not the
product of lack of good governance but it has of so many causes. Terrorism is spreading
throughout the world rampantly, as if it seems that it has become viral disease. The philosophy of
suicide attacks has been adopted by so many infiltrators like Tamil Nadu Tigers, Chechianians,
and other so many non-state actors around the whole world. It is kind of practice to frighten
somebody, government or non-government to stop their activities, it is a kind of intimidation
which has generated a fear-gap generation who are not only the one who suffer from this trauma
but this looming danger hovers over their off-springs. The 9/11 attacks in America, the suicide
bombing attacks in Britain and throughout the world, including the frequent attacks on Pakistani
army as well as civilian has made the life to look too horrible. In this regard, the need of hour is
to contain terrorist activities throughout the world by quick and instant sharing based on
intelligence reports otherwise the picture is too to look at.

American allegations on Pakistan are repeatedly visiting but carrying different names. The oft-
repeated allegations of American and Western countries are that Pakistan is not working whole-
heartedly to contain terrorist activities. Previously Bush administration used to emphasize on the
catch-word “Do More” policies, but it has never appreciated the sincere efforts of Pakistani army
as well as efforts of political leaders whoever lost their live for the sake of peace in the very core
of Pakistan. Sometimes it is ascribed with different name like home-grown terrorism, or that it is
providing safe heaven to infiltrators but these argument lack solid evidence. Now world is
looking at Pakistan form different angle. The repeated attacks on the non-governmental
organization’s offices as well as workers, attacks on civilians as well as army and police have
changed the scenario in the Pakistan and the abroad. But all the governments who are fighting
with this menace are still hopeful that culprits should be brought to the court of law and punished
on their committed acts.

Afghanistan is not only facing internal faction of Taliban and Al-Qaeda but it is also facing the
crunch of Indian orchestrated plots of conspiracies, which are instigating the local populations
against their government as well as people. The Indian has finally managed to contrive a plan
based on Trade Transit through the land routes of Pakistan; however it would have been much
difficult to export for Indian to transport their goods to Afghanistan’s rugged mountainous land
through the sea-routes, which has been diplomatically considered a pinch of salt on the unhealed
wounds. Now, Pakistan is sandwiched between Afghanistan and India but it has managed to
provide only a safe passage for them but even then it is suspected that in return caravans of
Lorries and trucks will carry the smuggled items from Afghanistan to India. That will prove
disastrous one for Pakistan and it’s thickly population which is already facing the anger of their
fate as well as nature. Now if we look at the aims and objectives of Indian trade and transit
policy, on the one hand it becomes crystal clear that India too is in the race of getting more
access to the untapped natural resources of oil-rich Persian Gulf. On the other hand USA and
China is also in the same line, but their approach as compared to other countries is bit different.
As Iran want to help the minority Shiites inhabiting the northern-eastern areas of Afghanistan
which is bordered with Iran, while Russia and other Muslim countries located in the Middle East
are frightened about the approaching imminent danger. And Pakistan at this stage is giving
helping hand to Afghan government, morally and politically but among them USA is far lagging
behind all the nations behind his band wagon of “War on Terror”.
Terrorism has done havoc at national and international level. Internationally terrorism is
recognized as the one of the most hated crime committed by people having no ideological
background, only based on indoctrinated philosophies. Scholars throughout the whole world
have repeatedly condemned the practice of terrorists at home and abroad. It has apparent that the
teachings of Islam are not followed by those people who are in the coterie of terrorist groups. As
a result young Muslims throughout the word are facing racial discrimination in their social as
well as in their academic life. Now the only hope for younger generation is Electronic and Print
Media which can propagate the message of Islam that it is not the one which is preached by
Terrorist ones but is perfect code of peace and prosperity.

The effects of terrorism in Pakistan are visible in the current state of affairs. Due to continual
attacks on foreigners, lack of good governance and entwined high level corruption, the unending
cycle of abject poverty, the day by day crippling economy, financial bungling and skyrocketing
prices, wide-level unemployment, the deteriorating law and order condition, including indefinite
methods to adopt and earn money either by kidnapping or by bank robberies has proved that we
are dwindling between the life and death like situation. Foreign Direct Investment is completely
or partially decreased, while local businessmen adopted different methods of stocking the basic
items of daily life and earned a lot of money in quite tricky way. Terrorism breeds terror which
not only frightens the local as international level but it also leaves indelible impression of
psychological fear in all the walks of life. As a result of continuous looming disaster, the ratio of
unemployment decreases and sense of insecurity prevails throughout the Pakistan. In addition to
this, robbery and financial bungling increase as a result of deteriorating economic to the
crippling stage. Now it lies in jurisdiction of government to provide safety and security to their
population with any more delays.

There is a hot-debate going on the “war on terror, whether it is ours or theirs? As it is apparent
form the opprobrium that war is not good at any level but is a menace for all. While few aspire
for it but a lot of populations suffer the consequences of war indirectly as well as directly. But it
is a war for all those people who are rebelling the nations and persecute people a in the name of
change, that has to be discouraged. Because moral responsibility lies on the developed as well as
under-developed nations to contain terrorism at any level and at any stage, otherwise it would
produce anarchy and disorder around the whole world. In this regard the present state of affairs
of Afghanistan and Iran is quite visible in day-light. Now, moral responsibility lies on the
neighboring countries to help the crippled, weak and fragile countries to come out of their abject
poverty as well as from absolute form of terrorism. When all are willingly to adopt the method of
cooperative methodologies in order to contain terrorism, then dialogue has to be resumed
between conflicted parties and should be brought at the negotiation table. So, that they could get
rid of themselves form the shackles of terrorism which has become cancer out of uncured
wounds.
Different measures are adopted by different nations to contain terrorism because conditions and
geographical location are not same throughout the world. That is why; a definite and
comprehensive strategy is required to wipe out the concept of terrorism form the very core globe.
But, recently the tactics adopted by NATO forces as well as allied ones is to Destabilize,
Destroy, and Dialogue. In the very preliminary stage, they are donig the first one tactic in which
safe-heavens or home-ground of Al-Qaeda. When they are destabilized again they are destroyed
completely by the repeated visitation of Drone attacks and finally they are brought to the table of
negotiation. However, this type of strategy was applied in the day of Bush administration
brought a massive change, but in this regard innocent people were butchered rather than terrorist.

However, Malheea Lodi has proposed multifaceted and multipronged strategy based on 9Cs.
According to her point of view there is a dire need of comprehensiveness of the problems which
is looming over the head of people. Then a definite consensus has to be achieved through the
collective help, so that misconception could be eradicated between Jihad and Terrorism. In this
regard, capabilities are required to master these strategies and have to implement in the particular
area of world. The level of cooperation has to be unlimited one that should grant freedom of
choice along with civil liberties to the human rights. Besides, civilization and cultural clashes
have to be avoided, as she laid on emphasis that clash of civilization is not based on religious
ideologies but on the basis on power politics that should be avoided at any level and any cost if
we are striving for peace and prosperity. Last but not the least, conferences at regional levels is
required to promote inter-faith dialogue process.

In Conclusion to this report Terrorism is one of the most cruel and inhuman crime committed by
indoctrinated people. At this level, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and USA are not only nations
which are facing the severe financial crunch along with financial bungling and bankruptcy but
also almost every state which is on world map is trapped in this quagmire. It has generated a
psychological fear in the very corner of the glob and everybody looks desperate enough to fight
this menace alone. Now responsibilities lies on the shoulders of world leader to ensure peace
around the world otherwise, this disease will devour the innocent people. Even then we have to
be hopeful that nothing is impossible in this world, because when people can reach Moon and
Mars certainly they do have will to wipe-out terrorism form the globe lately but surely.