Umer Farooq writes in the Friday Times (March 5, 2024) The Pakistani state has capitulated to religious groups that are committed to hardline Islamic narratives, which are a product of the reform movements of the 18th and 19th centuries. Consequently, extremism and terrorism have become a more pervasive problem.
A summary:
Islamabad, Pakistan: While a lull in major attacks has been observed in the first quarter of 2024, experts warn that Pakistan’s security landscape remains complex and faces evolving threats.
Shifting Tactics:The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) rivalry poses a significant challenge. While TTP activity has been hampered by internal disputes and Afghan Taliban crackdowns, ISIS-K has shown signs of resurgence, particularly in Balochistan.
Baloch separatists, who previously refrained from suicide bombings, have recently adopted this tactic, further complicating the situation.
Roots of Extremism: The author argues that the rise of extremism stems from the teachings of 18th-19th century reformist movements that emphasized individual interpretation of religious texts. This, coupled with the decline of a more tolerant religious praxis from pre-colonial times, has created fertile ground for extremist ideologies.
Concerns and Solutions:The author expresses concern about the state’s inability to effectively counter extremist narratives and the weakness of secular segments in civil society.
The article concludes by emphasizing the need to address the root causes of extremism, potentially through reviving the tolerant religious practices of the past.