AFGHANISTAN - TERRORISM AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PAKISTAN’S SECURITY

Terrorism; global cliché of the day shot to prominence for the September 11, 2001
unprecedented terrorist attacks on the United States. The world woke up to the reality of this menace,
watching the Western media pointing fingers at the Muslims, and their armies guns towards
Afghanistan. The US President even declared the onset of Crusades. Narrowing the scope of the
conceived enemy, the search zeroed down to Osama bin Ladin’s, Al-Qaeda, with its alleuiged
Headquarters in Afghanistan.
In order to understand the terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and its implications for
Pakistan’s security, it would be prudent to have a look at the genesis of Pakistan’s involvement in
Afghanistan. For a vivid over all picture, considering terrorism alone would be like a drop in the bucket
as there is hardly any strata of Pakistani society which has not been effected by its over two decades
long involvement in Afghan affairs. For this, besides security the paper will touch upon other
implications as well. Change in Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan, in the wake of post September
11 happenings, the future envisaged course to counter terrorism, and bring the terrorists back into the
folds of civilised society have also been discussed.
Genesis of Pakistan’s Involvement in Afghanistan
Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan imbroglio was basically motivated by humanitarian
considerations for the hapless Afghan populace at the time of the Soviet invasion and occupation in
the 1980’s. The traditionally strong cultural, religious and social interaction between the peoples of
the two countries and over 1000 miles of porous Pak-Afghan border facilitating the massive influx of
Afghan refugees into Pakistan, further accentuated the situation.
Any talk of Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan would remain amorphous unless the role
played by the then President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq is not discussed. The Afghanistan issue
came as a blessing in disguise for him and he opted to go all out against Moscow playing the card of
Islamic solidarity and making Pakistan a front-line state. He once mentioned that there were very few
social problems between Afghan refugees and Pakistanis, and said that there was no limit to the
contribution Pakistan was prepared to make.1
Pakistan provided sanctuary to the Mujahideen to launch their military operations. President
Zia was overnight catapulted into a leader of world fame and importance and for almost a decade
Pakistan was on the centre stage of world politics. The eclipse of the Soviet Union and the end of the
Cold War saw it pushed into the wings. Sweeping changes in the global political system resulted in
her political isolation as it was no longer required as a conduit of US supplies to Mujahideen.2
Security Implications of Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan
To understand the implications of Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan and the consequent
onslaught of terrorism, statement of a former Foreign Minister is quite instructive:-
“We are proud of our contribution to the Afghan Jihad. We must remember that today’s
unipolar world; in no small measure is the result of the Afghan war. And yet in the
aftermath of the victory of the Afghan Jihad, we were left not with the sweet dish of
victory, but the gifts of drug trafficking. Kalashnikov culture colossal environmental
damage, social tensions and a host of other painful legacies that flowed from the free
use of our territory for the fight against Soviet occupation forces.” 3

Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali,Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan

Generally it can be said that Pakistan’s support to the Afghans in their war against the Soviet
Union and acceptance of millions of refugees, has had serious implications for the country.
Specifically with regard to terrorism, the proliferation of weapons resulted in enhanced violence,
free gunrunning and display of
firearms. This coupled with drugs and smuggling of commercial goods increased corruption and
crime, consequently shattering the confidence of people in the writ of the government. Some of the
military training camps and religious schools in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan became the
breeding grounds for ethnic and sectarian violence.
During the Soviet occupation, Afghan and Soviet forces conducted raids against the
Mujahideen bases inside Pakistan and a campaign of terror bombings and sabotage in Pakistan’s
cities. In 1987 some 90 percent of the 777 terrorist incidents recorded world-wide took place in
Pakistan.4 Naseerullah Khan Barber, the then Interior Minister identified the fallout to Pakistan from
hosting the Afghan refugees as drugs, terrorism and weapons. He also said that Afghanistan had
become a training ground for terrorism that was being imported into Pakistan and other parts of the
world.5

Refugees Influx
Initially, Pakistan accepted the refugees on humanitarian grounds. As for now this writing of Mr
Ayaz Amir on the refugee influx gives a bird’s eye view of the entire situation:-
 “Parts of Chakwal which infact could be said for all parts of the country. that these are
turning slowly but surely into Afghan localities. The outskirts of the town are
pockmarked by Afghan tents. The richer Afghans dominate sections of the main
bazaar. The poorer sort push street-carts or work as day labourers. It is common sight
seeing their children pick rags. Whence (from which of Afghanistan’s provinces) have
these people come? How many are they? No one knows, least of all the administration
which has not the measure of this insidious Diaspora. Nor is Chakwal an exception. A
vast Afghan influx is changing the colour of the entire north Punjab Plain. These
Kabulwallahs are not seasonal migrants or powindahs driving their flocks south for the
winter and then returning to their upland homes when the weather turns warm. They are
here to stay, their urge to do so strengthened by the memory of the misery they have
fled and the relative plenty they have found here. Pakistan has become an open territory
for anyone to settle in. General Zia, the source of so many of our sorrows, let them have
the freedom of the country. The consequences are now upon us in the form of an
Afghan invasion more permanent than any before it. It is also an on-going invasion with
Afghanistan’s ongoing troubles sweeping fresh waves of refugees into Pakistan.6

From the very outset, Pakistan’s policy towards the refugees was flawed as the three million or
so refugees were free to go anywhere in the country to wreck havoc on the economy and
environment, and add to the law and order problem. They spread out far and wide, creating virtual
Afghanistan in and around Peshawar, Quetta and even Islamabad itself. Members of law enforcing
agencies for the fear of their lives, despite the might of the government machinery behind them dared
not tread into the major Afghan settlements, their schools, colleges, and universities set up in
Peshawar. 7

Demographics
Unchecked refugee onslaught caused their spread over 300 refugee camps, mainly in the
provinces of North West Frontier (NWFP) and Balochistan. These refugees represented 20 percent of
the local populations of these two provinces. In some areas, they actually equalled or outnumbered
the indigenous population. Following population figures from 1989 illustrate this point: -

DISTRICT8 LOCAL POPULATION REFUGEE POPULATION

Kurram 289,000 347,146
Chaghi 120,000 166,038
North Waziristan 235,000 185,667
Bajaur 287,000 195,691
Kohat 538,000 228,284
Pishin 374,000 168,509

Madrassas
In the 1980s, the madrassas were used as a way to recruit troops for the anti-Soviet war in
Afghanistan. At that time, many madrassas were financed by the zakat, giving the government at
least a modicum of control. Now, more and more religious schools are funded privately. Without
state supervision, these madrassas were free to preach a narrow and violent version of Islam. Most
offer only religious instructions, ignoring secular subjects. Maulana Abu Al Ala Maududi warned in his
1960 book, ‘First Principles of the Islamic state,

“Those who choose the theological branch of learning generally keep themselves
utterly ignorant of (secular subjects, thereby remaining) incapable of giving any lead to
the people regarding modern political problems.9

Some extremist madrassas preach jihad without understanding the concept: equating it with
guerrilla warfare. They encourage their graduates, to fulfil their “spiritual obligations” by fighting
against Hindus in Kashmir or against Muslims of other sects in Pakistan. Officials estimate that 10 to
15 percent of the country’s tens of thousands of madrassas espouse such extremist ideologies.10
Maulana Maududi’s prediction has come true.

Fundamentalism
Religious fanaticism and the horrendous violence/terrorism that goes with it strengthen the
distorted global perception of Islam and Pakistan. The emergence of Taliban, and their link with
certain Pakistani religio-political organisations was the main cause of religious extremism. The
elaborate logistic bases required for carrying out sectarian violence were being provided by active
members of the sectarian organizations, with their roots and training grounds in Afghanistan
 Inside Pakistan Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariaat-e-Muhammadi’s tremendous impact in the NWFP,
forcing the Government to accept most of their demands, manifestated the strength of the
fundamentalist religious parties. This overall environment of intolerance, with its seeds in the
extremism of the religious groups, accelerated social disequilibrium and added to the country’s
collective derelictions. 11
Weaponisation
The illegal sale and spread of weapons throughout Pakistan is linked to the Afghan War. By
some estimates about a quarter of the arms from the United States, Saudi Arabia and China were
diverted for use by Pakistani secessionists, sectarian militias, bandits and others. Former Chief of the
ISI, Lieutenant General (Retd) Hamid Gul stated that there are more than 750,000 unlicensed
weapons in Pakistan most of which were obtained through illegal means. 12 Kamal Azfar, former
governor of the Sindh Province, blamed the violent ethnic conflicts and proliferation of weapons in
Karachi on 100,000 illegal Afghan refugees13
The use of heavy and sophisticated weapons, as witnessed in the Orakzai tribal agency in the
NWFP to settle scores again is a new phenomenon. Veteran Afghans, were easily available to handle
the mortars and rocket-launchers for a fee in case Pakistani tribesmen needed a trained hand. These
weapons were also available on rent if someone could not afford to buy them.14
Jehadi Groups
A unidimensional and shortsighted thought process brought the Deobandi parties of Pakistan
into the equation, to recruit and train volunteers to become mujahids in Pakistan based madarassas.
The Americans and their Saudi-Pakistan allies thought they were using them against USSR. All the
while the jehadis were using formers largesse and Pakistani bases to create lasting organisations
beyond the Afghan War. 15
The disenchanted from all walks of life started sympathising and joining the political mullahs
and jihadis, and their groups gained strength to the tune that Akhwan-al-Muslimeen threatened to
March on Islamabad on March 7, 2001 demanding imposition of Sharia. Below cited report of the
incident is quite enlightening:-
“I write all this after not knowing whether to laugh or to cry at splash in the papers
made by Maulana Muhammad Akram Awan's 'threat' to march on Islamabad with lakhs
of his followers to press for the promulgation of Islamic laws in the country. With such
consummate skill and exquisite sense of public relations has the Maulana orchestrated
this threat from his stronghold of Munara After protracted negotiations a nation caught
in suspense was informed that the Maulana had graciously agreed to defer storming the
capital till early March pending the acceptance of his demands.”16

A leading foreign analyst was of the view that whatever their exact numbers, these Pakistani
militant groups posed a long-term, danger to international security, regional stability, and especially
Pakistan itself.17 The sudden new role and fame that Maulana Masood Azhar of ‘Jaish-e-Muhammad’
freed from an Indian Jail acquired days after his release, for creating war euphoria against Inida, took
many by surprise. Some analysts opine that his antics may have been a ploy to achieve the ulterior
motives of Pakistan’s enemies.18 The worst scene is of the criminals joining supposed jihad
movements as they are committed to violence for their own sake and money.19

Talibanisation of Pakistan
Regardless of the form of a final dispensation in Afghanistan, socio-political repercussions
are visible in Pakistan, especially in the tribal belt, where the orthodox elements fiercely favour the
Taliban activity across the border. The role of the Pakistani Taliban with their specific agenda, could
pose a serious threat to the country’s civil society. 20 As long as the Taliban controlled Afghanistan
they were a source of inspiration for the extremist forces in Pakistan to emulate their example by
means legal or otherwise. The local Taliban’s had openly started displaying their might, and
antagonism to the advancing materialism by destroying television sets, videos, and other reminders
of the West.21

Sectarianism
This is the most dangerous fallout of Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan. The major
sectarian groups in Pakistan were the virulently anti-Shia Sipah-e-Sahaba (SSP), Harkat-ul-Ansar
and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) and the pro Shia Sipahe-Muhammad (SM). The SM aimed at a revolution
of an Iranian type, while SSP and its brother groups will accept nothing less that the declaration of
Pakistan as a Sunni state.22 The LJ was targeting Shia civil servants and killed government officers
particularly in Punjab.23 Sectarian violence also occurred recently in the Kurram Agency with
consequences of tribal proportions, where the large number of Sunni Afghan refugees upset the
delicate demographic balance and contributed to the problems in this agency.
 Interior Minister Mr. Moinuddin Haider during a visit to Afghanistan carried a list of 60 terrorists
believed to be involved in sectarian killings in Pakistan who had taken refuge in Afghanistan. The
Taliban government refused to sign an extradition treaty with Pakistan. 24 In short, the minister’s
empty handed return established the kinship that existed between the thrust of the Taliban and
sectarian killings in Pakistan.25
Terrorism and Violence
During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Pakistan became the base for thousands of
foreign Islamic militants. They flocked to the Afghan training camps to learn the craft of war. Even
though Soviet troops have long been gone, these radicals remained in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Some have now brought their war to Pakistan itself. Recent bomb blasts that rocked Saudi Arabia,
Egypt and Pakistan, and the grand finale of the World Trade Centre all have been attributed to the
training centres of the Afghan war. Brigadier (Retd) A.R. Siddiqi voicing his concern about this
situation said

“Whether bonafide Afghans or Pakistani activists involved in the Afghanistan jihad,

Pakistan simply bristles with armed battle–tested activists (call them terrorists, if you
will) on the look out for operational vistas and new battle grounds. Pakistan remains
their sanctuary, their safe haven and ethnic base…26

Crime
Senior police officers and government officials agree that generally a sizeable number of
Afghan refugees have been involved in serious crimes. These include robberies, car theft, kidnapping
and murder. An example is the murder rate in the Chitral District of NWFP with a population of about
200,000 people. As per an official, some 20,000 Afghan refugees reside in the district and during one
year they were responsible for seven of the eleven murders committed in the area.27
Economic Implications
In the private sector, initially Pakistanis wanted to help their neighbours in a time of need, but
difficulties slowly led many to think that their friendship had gone far enough. The refugees infiltrated
the vital areas of the economy in the frontier regions, the arms business and smuggling of consumer
goods and drugs.28 Virtually the entire private bus trade in Peshawar was taken over by them, 29 and
the prices of various commercial commodities also got pushed up. A greater threat to the ordinary
Pakistani was the job competition, especially for the low paying manual labour. A distinguished
analyst, Ghani Eirabie wrote:-
“Every third or fourth shop in shopping centers of Peshawar is occupied by an Afghani
refugee; and those with money have monopolised long-haul transports services; and
this is understandably causing resentment among the locals who find their interests
jeopardized. Afghan refugees are also dominating the manual worker market which too
is causing resentment among the local unemployed”.30

On the official side the picture was equally bleak. On 28 June 1999 Pakistan’s cash-strapped
Finance Ministry authorized 300 million rupees (US$ 6 million) in salaries – for the Taliban
administration in Kabul. Earlier too, in 1997/98 Pakistan had provided the Taliban with an estimated
US $ 30 million in aid.
Smuggling
According to the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) goods worth about 200 million dollars a year
are smuggled in from Afghanistan, depriving Pakistan Customs revenues of some 100 million
dollars.31 Analysts claim that the smuggling industry is one of the largest causes in deteriorating
balance of payment scenario for Pakistan.32
A good illustration of this problem is the collapsing Pakistani bicycle industry as smuggled
bicycles have captured 40 percent of the domestic market.33 Another, is the automobile industry
where approximately 80 vehicles a day were being smuggled in from Afghanistan.34 For the
smuggling of black tea, as per Mr. M.M. Ispahani, Chairman Pakistan Tea Association 30-35 million
kg of tea is smuggled in, each year causing a revenue loss of Rs 1.2 billion to the national
exchequer.35 A World Bank study estimated smuggling and the illegal border trade between
Afghanistan and Pakistan at US$ 2.5 billion, representing over 12 per cent of Pakistan’s gross
domestic product. 36
Drugs
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Shafqat Ali Sheikh, addressing an international
Conference on Drugs Control said, “The emergence of narcotics problems in Pakistan owes it origin
to developments in the region resulting from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979”.37 A foreign
magazine reported that The NWFP is the home to Afghan refugees who have not only created state
within a state, but also have made the province a heroin trade centre”.38 In 1980, there were virtually
no heroin addicts in Pakistan. In 1981 the number reached 20,000. By the middle of 1982, the
experts estimated a minimum addict population of 30,000 which rapidly grew to 365,000 by 1985. A
survey in 1993-1994, placed the heroin addict population at 1.52 million. 39 There was a dramatic
increase by 1998 and Pakistan had an estimated five million addicts by 1999. Heroin addiction and
drugs money fuelled law and order problems, unemployment and allowed ethnic and sectarian
extremist groups to arm themselves.40
Isolation
A serious fall out for Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghan imbroglio was the international
isolation it faced. Not only the Western world but some of the traditionally friendly countries like Iran,
Turkey and China too had started looking at Pakistan with suspicion. Central Asian States were also
skeptic, for Pakistan’s support to the Taliban.41
What added to the world’s belief about Pakistan’s support to the extremists religious elements
is the irresponsible slogan mongering which goes absolutely unchecked in Pakistan, like “We won’t
stop – even if India gave us Kashmir ….. We’ll (also) bring jihad here. There is already a movement
here to make Pakistan a pure Islamic state. Many preach Islam, but most of them don’t know what it
means. We want to see a Taliban – style regime here”. This adversely effected Pakistan’s global
image.42
Change in Pakistan’s Policy towards Afghanistan
Towards the fag end of Taliban’s power, there was a visible shift in the government’s stance
towards them. The last straw came in the shape of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the
entire onus of responsibility for which fell on the Taliban led government of Afghanistan. Pakistan also
isolated, and suffering due to her till then pursued Afghan Policy came under severe international
pressure, and went all out in a last ditch effort to convince the Taliban as to what they were up
against. By now Pakistan in a critically precarious position chose to side with the world to counter
international terrorism, forsaking Taliban.
The curtain finally fell with the landmark address of President Pervez Musharraf to the nation
on 19 September 2001 wherein he unequivocally declared:-
"I have done every thing for Afghanistan and Taliban when the entire world is against
them. I have met about twenty to twenty five world leaders and talked to each of them in
favour of the Taliban. I have told them that sanctions should not be imposed on
Afghanistan and that we should engage them. I have been repeating this stance before
all leaders but I am sorry to say that none of our friends accepted this. ---- At this
juncture I am worried about Pakistan only. I am the Supreme Commander of Pakistan
and I give top priority to the defence of Pakistan. Defence of any other country comes
later".43

This indeed marked the beginning of the end for the Taliban. For, till then Pakistan was their
lifeline. It was President Musharraf’s second historic, internationally acclaimed and dynamic address
to the nation on 12 January 2002, described as ‘the most important address by any leader in recent
history’, that changed Pakistan’s internal scenario and international image. As Supreme Commander
of Pakistan Armed Forces he warned India that ‘Pakistan Armed Forces are fully prepared and
deployed to meet any challenge and will spill the last drop of their blood in the country’s defence’ He
reiterated his iron will for resolving the Kashmir issue saying “Kashmir runs in our blood”. Cracking
down on the extremists, banning the Jihadi outfits, and busting the terrorist rings he laid down the
ground rules for institutionalizing the Madrassas and behaviour of the mosques. The quintessence of
his speech was Quaid-e-Azam’s motto: “Unity, Faith and Discipline”. With this globally significant
speech the President has brought Pakistan, once isolated, again in the center stage with the entire
world looking up to her with admiration, confidence and faith.44
Future Course for Pakistan
As the treatise above makes it amply clear that Pakistan stood knee deep in the quagmire of
terrorism and violence. Some of that could be attributed to her policies, rest to unavoidable regional
situation. For future Pakistan needs to chart out very carefully a path out of the maze of violence and
terror. In here not only the root causes and punitive actions against terrorism and its perpetrators are
to be established, but also it to be viewed as an act of a sick child of the society in need of treatment
and rehabilitation. With the advantage of hindsight it can be safely concluded that it would be in the
supreme national interest that in future the crafting of the foreign policy is left to the specialists of the
field, and no meddling by any agency be allowed. Afghans too, now eagerly looking forward to Indian
aid and assistance be made to realise the ground realities of the long contiguous porous border with
Pakistan, exemplary treatment meted out to the Afghan refugees by her, and the difficulties she faced
in sheltering them. It would be instructive to suggest that now Pakistan can be relied upon for sincere
help in the future reconstruction of Afghanistan. Most importantly peace and security in the two
countries is of common interest to both.45 President Pervez Musharraf’s dauntless venture to stamp
out terrorism, and winning over the world support for that, definitely will go a long way in pulling the
country out of the swamp of terror.
Counter Terrorism
A special mystique characterizes the world of counter terrorism. At its most dramatic, it’s world
with its own taboos, rituals, and folkways, many unrecognizable to outsiders, a world with its own
language and vernacular, of fetish tools like K-bar knives, spike mikes, flash grenades, and silenced
submachine guns. It is a convoluted twilight world of shadows shifting alliances, fleeting friendships,
betrayal, and violence.46 For venturing into this world Pakistan needs to brace itself against its
vagaries, the first step ought to be the knowledge about terrorists ideology and indoctrination.
Terrorists Ideology and Indoctrination
Terrorists will have been intensively indoctrinated, into seeing the world through terrorist
spectacles. They will have been taught to hate everyone associated with government and the legal
system, especially the police. They will be schooled into suspecting the authorities every move.
Moreover, they will have it instilled into them that the only important thing in life is the furtherance of
their cause. They are taught to see each act of violence as heroic. Once this process of indoctrination
reaches a certain point it is extremely difficult to even bring the terrorists to question their fundamental
ideological assumptions and beliefs, let alone abandon them.47
Combating Terrorism
As manifested by the September 11 happenings the threat of terrorism is changing in a
number of ways. Some of the major principles and measures to combat terrorism at the turn of the
century could be:-48
 No surrender to the terrorists, and an absolute determination to defeat terrorism within
the framework of the rule of law.
 No deals and no major concessions, even in the face of the most severe intimidation
and blackmail.
 An intensified effort to bring terrorists to justice by prosecution and conviction before
courts of law.
 Determination never to allow terrorist intimidation to block or derail international
diplomatic efforts to resolve major conflicts in strife-torn regions
Political will and Writ of the Government
With regards to long term goals to eradicate terrorism it needs political will on the part of
government to confront terrorism, and drain the ‘swamps’ where terrorists are hiding. Most important
is the establishment of the writ of the government as also emphasised by President Pervez Musharraf
in his January 12 address. For this the accountability of every institution of governance in a situation
of terrorism – including, the political executive, the civil administration and the judiciary - should be
clearly defined and their individual performances systematically audited. Judicial officers who fail to
dispense justice must be punished. Similarly, officers in all branches of government and
administration, guilty of wilful and gross dereliction of duty towards terrorism must be held
accountable. A strong policy also needs to be adopted against cases of collusion between individuals
in the government or politics and various subversive agencies and bodies.49
Individual Pathways Out of Terrorism
 Fear of the Group
A major constraint is the individual terrorist’s fear of his /her own group. Terror has always
been the method used to ruthlessly control discipline within the conspiratorial world of the
terrorist organisations. Major infractions or repeated disobedience of the leaders orders
usually mean death. If the individual terrorist is suspected of having gone over to the side of
the authorities, the terrorists will try to mete out vengeance on their closest family
members. Faced with such deadly threats from their own group, it is little wonder that few
of them find the courage to try to break with the past.50
 Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of terrorists has hardly begun to be subjected to any serious research by
social scientists. It must be said that our democratic legal and penal systems remain
extraordinarily ill suited to the specialised tasks of winning over individual members of the
terror organisations and setting about their long-term rehabilitation in normal society. For
Pakistan’s terrorists strewn society research in this field is a must. There is a strong
possibility that the intensive political indoctrination and conditioning of the terrorist can be
reversed.51
 Counter-Terrorism as a Way of Life
Terrorism is not a war that is fought or won by the security forces alone. It is a war that
involves every institution of government and every citizen of the nation state. It is,
moreover, a war without beginning or end. An effective response, consequently, demands
fundamental changes in the ways of perception, interpretation and organisation. Indeed, in
the very way of life in target societies. Crucially, these target nations cannot depend on the
‘international community’ to deliver them from their present difficulties. The assumption of
good faith in the international community is entirely unfounded, and all nations act, not on
 the principles of humanity that they preach, but on simple and perceived self-interest. The
world is confronted with a curious situation where terrorism has no advocates, but
numberless patrons and sponsors, among whom are many of the advanced nations of the
West, all of whom are supposedly wedded to the values of human rights and democracy.
Terrorism, therefore is a menace, which the Pakistani society will have to face and defeat
on its own.52
Conclusion
Security of Pakistan is the nation’s prime objective. Scourge of terrorism marring this is
perpetrated by barbaric acts of fanatics, devoid of any respect for the sanctity of human life. The evil
demands a tireless response with unflinching national resolve. To counter terrorism, strong tactical
and strategic measures are the need of the hour. These coupled with an effective and aggressive
national policy and an all-pervasive international determination and cooperation, will definitely go a
long way in ensuring a painless and peaceful tomorrow.
Discourse above leaves no dubiety in the fact that the deep-seated terrorism Pakistan faces
today has its roots embedded in Afghanistan. However, the role of other international actors
harboring animosities against her can also not be ruled out. For future, it would be prudent not to
allow Pakistan’s security get marred for the sake of any other country. Hallmark for the architects of
foreign policy should be President Musharaff’s words, “I give top priority to the defence of
Pakistan. Defence of any other country comes later”.