Pakistan’s Counter‑Terrorism Journey toward Sustainable Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (2001‑2020)

Abstract

Pakistan reclaimed its position as a frontline strong state and implemented a counter terrorism plan that included both military and a non-military component. The study evaluates the significant counter terrorism operations that took place in the Pakistan between 2001 and 2023 and critically looks at the tactics, obstacles, and limitations of Pakistan’s counter terrorism activities. Since 9/11, Pakistan has been the most terrorist-affected nation and losing almost 8,000 military personnel and nearly 40,000 of civilians. Pakistan must also deal with the fallout from the military actions against the both domestic and foreign terrorists, including religious extremism, insurgency, cross-border infiltration, wealthy terrorist attacks on military and public target, and a heart-breaking string of suicide attacks. With regard to the domestic, regional, and global security concerns, Pakistan is dealing with the fallout from its unsuccessful counter terrorism strategy. Even though Pakistan has already launched multiple military operations to eradicate the Taliban and al-Qaeda sanctuaries, the United States and international community have not been satisfied because of the country’s intangible scheme strategy, incident-to-incident counter approach, emphasis on ceasefire and a negotiation, discrimination between good and bad Taliban, policy that is sympathetic to domestic terrorist groups, weak internal security, and inconclusive military operations. In the context of decision-making and adversary identification while combating the extremism, militancy, and terrorism, Pakistan urgently requires a very significant revamp of its policies and to create a good balance in the civil-military ties.