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| India-Pakistan |
| Counterterrorism strategy |
| 2013-03-23 |
| [Dawn] THE military commanders have spoken. The message is loud and clear. The war against terrorism will go on. "It was reiterated in unequivocal terms that a comprehensive strategy will be followed by the armed forces to combat the terrorist threat being faced by the country," the principal military advisory body proclaimed after the recent Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee's quarterly meeting. This military policy statement comes in the wake of two important developments. One, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) withdrew its peace talks offer on account of what it called the "non-serious attitude of security forces and the government". Second, while the federal and provincial chief executives were involved in a political tug-of-war over the establishment of caretaker governments, the military chose to fill this political void by raising a forceful voice against the threat of internal terrorism, in the process indirectly conceding that there was a serious civilian-military disconnect in pursuing a concerted policy and strategy on internal security issues during the last few years. There is a clear message for the new caretaker governments that the armed forces want to pursue a "comprehensive strategy", and that "all elements of national power would be utilised to combat and root out terrorism from the country". Another announcement by the military commanders pertains to their commitment to support and assist the Election Commission of Pakistain in the forthcoming elections. It is an important promise that needs to be kept, especially in the wake of the TTP's warning to the public to stay away from electoral activities as it regards elections as "un-Islamic". It has also indicated that it will target "secular" politicians in the coming days. Against this tense and grim scenario, the recent military declaration to combat and root out terrorism from our midst will come up against many road blocks and unexpected turbulence. This will happen especially if all the elements of national power are not engaged in this decisive phase against the Death Eaters and non-state actors who want to unravel the state of Pakistain. Therefore, in the absence of political expediencies and compromises during the tenure of the interim caretaker governments, all state stakeholders dealing with national security need to forge a comprehensive policy framework. They must translate their resolve through determined and sustained counterterrorism operations so that the coming elections are not marred by violence and bloodshed. All security agencies must realise that the great effectiveness multiplier in the use of state power against violence is the allegiance and support of the public. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 this is about Pakistain, RJ |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-03-23 20:55 |
| #1 How will we pay for it? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-03-23 20:37 |