Pakistan Education Forum

Terrorism In Pakistan:
Its Causes, Impacts And Remedies

Outline:

• Introduction
• What Is Terrorism
• Islam’s Response To Terrorism:
• Causes Of Terrorism:
1. Internal Causes
a) Socio-Economic Causes
i) Injustice:
ii) Illiteracy:
iii) Poverty And Unemployment:
iv) Food Insecurity:
v) Dissatisfaction:
b) Political Causes:
i) Non-Democratic Set-Up:
ii) Improper Government Set-Up
iii) Absence Of Law And Failure Of Law
Enforcement Agencies:
iv) Influx Of Refugees, Weaponisation And
Talbanisation:
c) Religious Causes:
i) Role Of Madrassahs:
ii) Religious Intolerance:
2. External Causes
a) Afghan War: 1979
b) Iranian Revolution:
c) War On Terrorism: 9/11
• Factors Boosting Terrorism:
a) Anti-Terrorism Campaign And Drone Strikes:
b) Negligence Of Government:
c) Persecution Of Innocent Muslims In Kashmir And
Palestine:
• Steps Taken By Pakistan:
a) Ban On Terrorist Organisation
b) Operation Rah-E-Nijat
c) Operation Rah-E-Rast
• Impacts Of Terrorism:
a) Civilian Loss
b) Economic Cost Of Terrorism:
i) Agriculture Loss:
ii) Manufacturing Cost:
iii) Declining Foreign Direct Investment:
iv) Diminishing Tourism:
v) Internally Displaced People/internal Migration
c) Social Impacts;
d) Political Impacts:
e) Psychological Impacts:
f) Religious Impacts:
• Remedies:
• Conclusion:
At present the gravest problem that Pakistan is
facing is terrorism. It has become a headache for
federation and a nightmare for public. Though, it is
a global issue but Pakistan has to bear the brunt of
it. Pakistan’s involvement in the War on Terror has
further fuelled the fire. We are facing war like
situation against the terrorists. This daunting
situation is caused due to several factors. These
factors include social injustice, economic disparity,
political instability, religious intolerance and also
external hands or international conspiracies. A
handful of people who have their vicious interests
to fulfil have not only taken countless innocent
lives but also distorted the real image of Islam
before the world through their heinous acts.
Terrorist acts like suicide bombings have become a
norm of the day. On account of these attacks
Pakistan is suffering from ineffaceable loss ranging
from civilian to economic. People have become
numerical figures, blown up in numbers every now
and then. Terrorists have not spared any place.
Bazars, mosques, educational institutes, offices,
hotels, no place is safe anymore.

Though terrorism has no accepted definition, yet it

can be defined as the use of violence and
intimidation in the pursuit of political aim or the
calculated use of violence or threat of violence
against civilians in order to attain goals that are
political or religious or ideological in nature, this is
done through intimidation or coercion or inciting
fear. According to FBI’s definition, Terrorism is the
unlawful use of force or violence against persons or
property to intimidate or coerce a government, the
civilian population, or any segment thereof, in
furtherance of political or social objective.

The religion of Islam (Submission), advocates

freedom, peace and mutual agreement and
admonishes aggression. The following verses make
it very clear.

“And do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors”.

(Quran 5:87)

“You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance,

and disregard the ignorant”. (Quran: 7:199)

The relations of Muslims (Submitters) with others

are based primarily on peace, mutual respect and
trust. The theme in the Quran is peace, unless
there is oppression or injustice that cannot be
resolved by all the peaceful means available. The
true religion of Islam forbids the killing of innocent
people, irrespective of the cause, religious, political
or social beliefs.

“...You shall not kill * GOD has made life sacred *

except in the course of justice. These are His
commandments to you that you may understand.”
(Quran 6:151)

“You shall not kill any person * for GOD has made
life sacred — except in the course of justice.”
(Quran17:33)

In Islam, an amazingly powerful emphasis is laid

on developing love for mankind and on the vital
importance of showing mercy and sympathy
towards every creature of Allah Almighty, including
human beings and animals. For indeed, love and
true sympathy is the very antidote of terrorism.

Injustice is one of the foremost factors that breed

terrorism. When the grievances of the people are
not redressed they resort to violent actions. So this
is the case with Pakistan where timely justice has
always been a far cry. Hence, the delayed justice is
working as incentive for victims and dragging them
to the swamp of terrorist organisations.

Illiteracy is the root causes of extremism and

terrorism. More than one in five men aged 15 to 24
unable to read or write, and only one in 20 is in
tertiary education. such a high illiteracy rate has
made Pakistan vulnerable to terrorism.
furthermore, technical and vocational education,
and adult literacy, are especially important but
unfortunately have been neglected the most in
Baluchistan, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and the Tribal
Areas. Illiteracy and lack of skills provide fertile
ground for those who wish to recruit young men
and women to their cause, especially when
significant monetary payments are attached.

Regarding poverty, it is also an incubating cause of

terrorism. And it is said that “a hungry man is an
angry man.” Notably, majority of people in
Pakistan are living below poverty line. While
especially for the youngsters, unemployment has
made the matter worse. In these adverse
circumstances, some people go to the level of
extremism and even commit suicide. These are the
people whose services are hired by the terrorist
groups and they become easy prey to terrorism.

Food insecurity is also linked with militancy and

violence. When people remain unable to afford food
and cannot meet their basic needs civil strife
grows. A report by the Islamabad-based
Sustainable Development Policy Institute The
highest levels of food insecurity, for instance, exist
in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
according to the report, where 67.7 per cent of the
people are insecure. The next highest level is in
Baluchistan, with food insecurity at 61.2 per cent,
and then in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa, 56.2 per cent. In
Pakistan some extremist forces are exploiting the
feelings of lower and lower middle class food
insecure people. They are motivating their
unemployed youth to commit heinous crimes such
as suicide attacks against innocent people.

Another reason of terrorism is dissatisfaction.

When a person is dissatisfied with the rulers and
thinks that his rights are being humiliated or
exiled, his living of life has not been compensated,
he is deprived of rightful inheritance to office,
wrongly imprisoned and property confiscated then
he joins some religious parties. It does not matter
which organisation it would be. None of the
organisations has any importance for him. Adopting
an organisation would only save him from the
critical situation he is in and leaves him to play in
the hands of his so-called leaders who destroy his
public sense of security.

Today’s Pakistan is facing democratic turmoil. A

path chartered by the military regime of Ayub
Khan, Yahya Khan then of Zia-ul-Haq was altered
by yet another military regime that of Musharraf.
All these regimes produced political instability, poor
governance, institutional paralysis, by passing the
rule of law, socio-economic downfall and so on.
These fragile conditions along with deteriorating
law and order situation have provided a fertile
ground for terrorism to grow.

Furthermore, lack of proper government set-up and

lack of coordination and information sharing
between various institutions of government is also
a cause of behind the escalating terrorist activities.
Not to talk of providing security to common people,
our law enforcing agencies (LEAs) have completely
failed to protect high officials of the country. In the
absence of law and proper trial the terrorists are
entrenching their roots firmly. Failure of the (LAEs)
to bring the terrorist to book has emboldened
terror mongers to strike at a target of their choice
at will. Schools, hospitals, markets and places of
worship have become their favourite targets.

The soviet Afghanistan war was the most critical

event responsible for spreading militancy and
intolerance in Pakistan. A fundamental change that
altered the very character of Pakistani society
occurred after establishment of the soviet backed
communist regime in Afghanistan. The aftermath of
the soviet withdrawal exposed the damage,
transformation of violence and Weaponisation into
Pakistani society. It ultimately plagued Pakistan
with a new trend commonly referred as
“Kalashnikov Culture” and “Talbanisation”.

Religion became the dominant force during the Zia

regime when the Islamization of laws and
education became a state policy. And the Islamic
legislation was promulgated and a number of
Islamic enactments were made, including the
Hudood and blasphemy laws. One may also
mention the vital role of the jihadis in their fight
against the Soviet military occupation with the
American support, as well as the generous
patronage extended by the government to the
religious parties and groups. It may be added that
various religious groups benefited from the support
they received from abroad, in particular from Saudi
Arabia and Iran.

Religious Madrassah is not something new for the

Islam or our country. But after Russian attack on
Afghanistan it took a new dimension. They were
being used as recruitment centres for jihadis.
Thousands of Mujahedeen were trained and sent to
Afghanistan for so-called jihad. After the fall of
Russia, a sizeable number of the jihadis who
returned to Pakistan got involved in terrorist
activities.

Religious intolerance is another factor which is

adding fuel to the fire of terrorism. youth, educated
through religious Madrassahs, are indoctrinated
with extreme ideas. They become intolerant
towards other religions and even other sects of
their own religion. They impose their own extreme
ideas and vent their fanaticism thorough violent
actions. Intolerance makes society jungle. It is
proving destructive phenomenon for social
harmony, political stability, and economic growth.

The soviet Afghanistan war was the most critical

event responsible for spreading militancy and
intolerance in Pakistan. A fundamental change that
altered the very character of Pakistani society
occurred after establishment of the soviet backed
communist regime in Afghanistan. The aftermath of
the soviet withdrawal exposed the damage,
transformation of violence and Weaponisation into
Pakistani society. It ultimately plagued Pakistan
with a new trend commonly referred as
“Kalashnikov Culture” and “Talbanisation”. This was
perhaps an end to our long established pluralistic
culture and values. Result was a wave of vicious
cycle of Sectarian and Inter-sect and Interfaith
violence/terrorism.

Religious extremism that took its roots in Pakistan

after the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 is
proving venomous for Pakistan. The increased
danger of sectarian motivated acts of violence,
have gained in power and influence over the recent
past. External as well as internal influences have
impacted the sectarian issues and have served to
further intensify the magnitude and seriousness of
the problem. Sectarian violence, therefore, was an
extremely rare and unheard of phenomenon in
Pakistan with sectarian disputes being very
localized and confined rather than being frequent
and widespread.
This religious extremism took a new shape of
terrorism after 9/11. After the incident of 9/11
suicide bombing in Pakistan has become a norm of
the day. The American invasion and occupation of
Afghanistan, as well as the military operation in
Pakistan, along with the American drone attacks,
have served to fuel religious radicalism leading to
violent reaction. The breakdown of state structures
in Afghanistan created a void which was quickly
filled by groups and individuals who took it upon
themselves to continue the lost battle. Some of
them also intruded into Pakistani tribal areas, thus
inviting the US displeasure. Flushing out these
foreign fighters by Pakistani security forces made
Pakistan a battle ground, as foreign militants and
some of their local hosts, joined hands to counter
the security forces.

The drone strikes have increased anti-Americanism

in Pakistan society and the region. The terrorists
have used the collateral damage to maximize the
environment and society to their benefit. Families
of people killed in collateral damage become ideal
nursery for suicide bombers In Pakistan society
drone attacks are popularly believed to have
caused even more civilian casualties than is
actually the case. The persistence of these attacks
on Pakistani territory is continuously creating public
outrages and alienating people from government
and Army. The drone is a tactical weapon and has
certainly given good results tactically to support
coalition forces operation on their sides of the
border but strategically history has many
unanswered questions.

On account of anti-campaign and drone attacks

scores of people have become homeless and even
some have lost all their possessions Coupled with
this, governments indifference towards these
internally displaced people has further deteriorating
the situation and encouraging people to join anti-
state actors. Negligence on the part of government
has alienated the people and has placed Pakistan in
an undesirable situation domestically.

Furthermore, indiscriminate and brutal persecution

of innocent citizen of Kashmir and Palestine by
Indian and Israeli forces respectively is further
boosting the monster of terrorism. the people of
Kashmir and Palestine have been denied their basic
rights for decades. Hence their feelings of
antagonism springing out in the form violent acts
and also their supporters are conducting these
types of acts here in Pakistan in order the draw the
attention of the world towards the injustices being
done to them.

Pakistan has done its level best to rid terrorism and

terrorists from its soil. In first step, many terrorist
organisations were banned by the Musharraf
government. After those successful military
operations namely Rah-e-Nijat and Rah-e-Rast
have been conducted. Pakistan army has fought
bravely against terrorist and has destroyed their
safe dens. It has broken the backbone of the
terrorists and has forced them to flee. These
operations still keep ongoing in some tribal areas.
In this context, it is worth-mentioning that public
support to military operations is very essential, and
without people’s backing no army can win this
‘different war’ against terrorism.

For Pakistan the consequences of being the

epicentre of the war on terror have been disastrous
physically, psychologically and economically.
Nobody understands terrorism better than us
(Pakistanis). We have been victims of various
manifestations of it since the Soviet Afghan war.
Since 9/11, the wave of suicide bombing has so far
killed scores of innocent Pakistani civilians and
muffled the already slow pace of our economic
growth. The financial cost of the ongoing global war
on terror in the last two years alone has been $35
billion. This has badly affected in particular, the
socio-economic development of Pakistan. Lest we
forget, we even lost our prominent political leader
Benazir Bhutto to an act of terror.

Since September 11, 2001, 21,672 Pakistani

civilians have lost their lives or have been seriously
injured in an ongoing fight against terrorism. The
Pakistan Army has lost 2,795 soldiers in the war
and 8,671 have been injured. There have been
3,486 bomb blasts in the country, including 283
major suicide attacks. More than 3.5 million have
been displaced. The damage to the Pakistani
economy is estimated at $68 billion over the last
ten years. Over 200,000 Pakistani troops were
deployed at the frontline and 90,000 soldiers are
fighting against militants on the Afghan border.

The ongoing insurgency has accelerated the

already dismal economic situation and has affected
almost each and every economic aspects of the
country, particularly in FATA and Khyber
Pukhtunkhwa. All the main resources of revenue in
affected areas have been hurt, including
agriculture, the tourism industry, manufacturing
and small-scale industry.

Due to insurgency, the loss to agriculture alone

amounts to Rs.35 billion. The breakdown in law
and order situation has damaged the fruit based
economy of the northern areas. It has rendered
billions of rupes losses to the landowners,
labourers, dealers and farmers who earn their
livelihood from these orchards. Also, the Economic
survey of Pakistan report shows that the share of
agriculture in the gross domestic product (GDP)
has been constantly falling. It accounted for 25.99
per cent of GDP in 1999-2000; however, gradually
its share shrank to 21.3 per cent in 2007-2008.
The figures show that terrorism has not only
decreased the productive capacity of agricultural
activity in these regions but also in the entire
country.

The manufacturing sector has been hard hit by

frequent incidents of terrorism and has created an
uncertain environment resulting into low level of
economic growth. The manufacturing sector is
witnessing the lowest-ever share of 18.2 per cent
in the GDP over the last five years. In addition, the
small and medium-size enterprises which are key
area of manufacturing in Pakistan have been
affected across the country because of power
shortages and recurrent terrorist attacks.

According to a Harvard study (December 2000),

higher levels of terrorism risk are associated with
lower levels of net FDI. In case of Pakistan,
terrorism has affected the allocation of firms
investing money in the country. As a result, FDI,
which had witnessed a steep rise over the previous
several years, was adversely affected by the
terrorist acts in the country, especially in FATA and
other areas of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.

According to the World Economic Forum, Pakistan

ranked 113 out of 130 countries in 2009 as a
tourist destination. The low ranking is attributed to
incidents of terrorism and the lack of a tourism
regulatory framework in Pakistan. On account of
persistent terrorist attacks many hotels in the
northwest areas have been closed. According to
government’s own estimates, the hotel industry in
Swat valley has suffered a loss of Rs. 60 billion.
Many workers have lost their jobs and transport
has also face a severe blow.

Due to war on terror, local people of war-ridden

areas are migrating to other areas of Pakistan.
Country has seen the largest migration since
independence in 1947. These people have left their
homes, businesses, possessions and property back
home. This large influx of people and their
rehabilitation is an economic burden for Pakistan.
Unemployment is still prevalent and now the
question of providing employment to these
migrants has also become a serious concern. This
portion of population is contributing nothing
worthwhile to the national income yet they have to
be benefitted from it. This unproductive lot of
people is a growing economic problem of Pakistan

Social impacts have also been caused by this war.

In a society where terror exists cannot be healthy.
Social disorganization has occurred due to
terrorism. Social relations, economic transactions,
free moments, getting education, offering prayers
etc. have suffered. Pakistan’s participation in the
anti-terrorism campaign has led to massive
unemployment, homelessness, poverty and other
social problems and ills. In addition, frequent
incidents of terrorism and displacement of the local
\population have severely affected the social fabric.

On the political front Pakistan is badly impacted in

fighting the war against terrorism. It has taken
many valuable steps to defeat terrorists. In spite of
all the sacrifices the country is making it is branded
to be a country insincere or half-hearted in fighting
the menace. Every time the country is told to “do
more”. It is further alleged for infiltration of the
militants inside US-NATO dominated Afghanistan.
The failure of the Western troops in the
neighbourhood is blamed on Pakistan. This
situation has eroded the trust between the
governments and caused international image
problem for the country.

Similarly the terror has brought in its wake

psychological problems. Fear in the hearts of the
people is created. Trauma, depressions and
confusion have been increased. The people feel
insecure and unsafe whenever in their daily life
activities, as time and again they watch the terror
events taking place in different cities. Those have
especially been suffered who have closely
witnessed the suicidal bombings.

The religion is also impacted by the war against

terrorism. The religion of Islam is perceived to be
the one tolerating extremism and terrorism abroad.
In the western world people equate violence, abuse
against women and minority rights, and several
acts of terrorism like suicidal bombing and coercion
with Islam and Muslims. Whenever any such
inhuman act takes place they tie it with Islam and
its followers. When in the UK terror acts were
committed the authority blamed it on Pakistani
citizens for instance. And why these days
Pakistanis are discriminately interrogated and have
to be screened before they inter the US is due to
the fact that they are Pakistanis and Muslims.

Thorough analysis of the causes of terrorism and

its ineffaceable impacts indicate that in Pakistan
this phenomenon has not come to fore overnight.
It has taken decades to flourish and involves many
factors. Since terrorism is a multifaceted, the
solution has to be multi-pronged. In view of the
root causes described in above paragraphs, the
possible remedies could include:

• To begin with, a national commission needs to be

set up, which identifies the fault lines and the root
causes of the rise of extremism in Pakistan taking
into consideration the post-Nine-Eleven
developments.

• It should also take up the question of reforming

the madrassas. The heads of all the major religious
groups should be contacted and engaged to explore
short-term and long-term solutions.

• Our universities and research institutes should

take up the intellectual task of re-interpreting the
Islamic injunctions in the light of modern
knowledge and 21st century challenges (with
emphasis on social justice).

• The government must improve its performance.

Bad governance and corruption have lowered its
credibility and clout,

• Parliament must debate Pakistan’s present

relationship with the US, with particular reference
to the American war in Afghanistan and operations
in Pakistan.

• Our government should make efforts to develop

sector. Without any doubt, these efforts will play a
crucial role not only in providing employment to
the millions of people but will also eliminate
poverty in the country.

• Pakistan’s government should particularly

emphasise the need of technical education by
promoting it. In this respect, more institutes should
be opened in order to promote technical education.

• It is mentionable that there are two types of

terrorists, extremists and moderates. In order to
cope with terrorism, our government should
neutralise the moderate terrorists through
reconciliation by offering them general pardon and
asking them to renounce terrorism. Even extremist
insurgents can be offered mediation. Nevertheless,
those militants who reject the offer could be fought
through military operations.

• Nonetheless, for their on global and regional

interests, US-led western allies must not only
increase the military and economic aid of Pakistan
but also provide direct market access to Pak
products on zero rate duty to help stabilise the
country’s bleak economy in the wake of the war
against terror.

• As Pakistan has been successfully coping with the

menace of terrorism, US-led some western
countries including India should also give up their
propaganda campaign against Islamabad and
blame game against its intelligence agency ISI.

• US should help in resolving the Kashmir dispute

to deal with the problem of militancy in the region.

• In order to fight terrorism, Pakistan’s media

should play a key role. It must point out the
criminal activities of the militants like hostage-
taking, killing of the innocent people? torching the
government buildings including girl schools and
car-snatching. It should also indicate that Islam is
a religion of peace and does not allow suicide
attacks.

• As Pakistan is already facing various crises of

grave nature in wake of terrorism, so our
politicians must stop manipulating the same for
their own self-interests. By setting aside their
differences and by showing power of tolerance,
both our rulers and opposition parties need to act
upon a policy of national reconciliation to cope with
the problem of terrorism and to stand before
external pressure.

• Finally, our politicians, general masses and

security forces must show a strong sense of unity
to fight terrorism,

To conclude, Pakistan is a peace loving nation and

playing its important role in combating terror.
Recognition of efforts to fight menace of terrorism
and sacrifices rendered thereof are testimony to
the commitment and resolve to bring peace in the
region. Unfortunately sometimes its commitment is
doubted by some of its allies. Mistrust can lead to
diversion of efforts, which will not be beneficial to
common objective of peace in the region. Pakistan
is a responsible nation; fully capable of defending
its territorial integrity. Pakistan has singularly
committed large forces to combat menace of
terrorism more than any other country. No foreign
troops are either present or deployed on Pakistan
soil.

All citizens of Pakistan must propagate moderate

vibrant culture of Pakistan to promote good will of
world community and shun misconstrued beliefs.
Attacks on security forces personnel are executed
at the sponsorship of hostile intelligence agencies.
Such anti state elements must be singled out and
brought to lime light to defeat evil agendas of our
enemies. Pakistan has sacrificed the most in the
ongoing war on terror; criticizing Pakistan’s efforts
at national/international forum will be counter-
productive to the overall objectives of war on
terror.
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