Expert: Pakistani authorities must rely on domestic resources to fight terrorism Analytic

15 March 2017. PenzaNews. A series of February bomb blasts across Pakistan left a deep imprint on citizens’ minds, forcing them to feel fear in the face of a terrorist threat. This topic was raised by Babar Khan Bozdar, Research Affiliate at Strategic Vision Institute Islamabad, in his article “Pakistan’s Internal Security Challenges and Fear of Insecurity” published in foreign media.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“Pakistan is facing severe internal security threats. It may be noticed that actors involved in internal security environment are neighbors, refugees and band outfits which are operating with different names and different styles. […] Pakistan is also facing tough resistance, a stronghold of religious parties and a variety of threats at the same time; an internal and external threat, especially Indo-Afghan threats, while the influx of Afghan Refugees, whom Pakistan has been hosting since the 1980s, is another burden,” the article says.

According to the author, a coordinated Indian, and Afghan attack designed to fragment Pakistan along ethnic lines are also lurking in the minds of security planners.

“The influxes of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan are working in the shape of facilitator, spies and as double agent. They are linked with terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and banned outfits in Pakistan. However, Pakistan is still hosting these refugees,” the expert says.

In his opinion, this is a big question and an examination for government.

“UNHCR in his report said that 1.6 million Refugees resides in Pakistan are registered while the major chunk is not registered. Moreover 60,000 afghan children born here in Pakistan every year. If we estimate this number and apply in Baluchistan, we will see that very soon Baloch Population will be converted into the minority. They had captured the major share of resources of Baluchistan and it will lead to conflict,” Babar Khan Bozdar says.

According to him, Pakistan is in amidst of three strategic doctrines of war at the same time: Cold Start Doctrine, AFPAK Strategy and Fourth Generation warfare.

“Cold Start is a military doctrine developed by the Indian Armed Forces for use in a possible war with Pakistan. It involves the various branches of India’s military conducting offensive operations as part of unified battle groups. In this strategy, more than 80% of Indian troops are deployed on border with Pakistan. Pakistani army is responded this Indian threat by conducting Azm-e-Nau exercise,” the analyst explains.

“Simultaneously AFPAK strategy is another threat to internal security in Pakistan. The central problem confronting the United States in the region is no longer Al Qaeda or Taliban, it’s the Pakistan Army. In turn, Fourth Generation warfare is another big threat which is difficult for army to respond it because such techniques are being used to misguide the public and create anarchy and uncertainty among the masses. Hence it is the responsibility of State loving media and nation to respond,” the article says.

The author also reminds that a series of bombs were exploded soon after the announcement of Pakistan’s Super League (PSL) in Lahore, the capital city of the Pakistani province of Punjab in the north-east of the country. It is noteworthy that the decision to return the championship to Pakistan was taken by the authorities for the first time, 8 years after the tragedy in 2009, when the bus of the Sri Lanka cricket team was attacked by terrorists, and since that all matches have been held in the United Arab Emirates.

“Authorities claimed that enemy wants to destabilize Pakistan by attacking soft targets, but the fact is that enemy is within and in the shape of refugees and local outfits while foreigner players are virtually a rider clause. Thus there is need of strong checkup rather than putting an eye on them,” the analyst believes.

In his opinion, Pakistan is facing the same case, where a myriad of internal problems is greatly aggravated by number of agents of external factors within the country.

“Once these agents are out of the picture, the internal problems will remain, but their resolution will not be as complex as it is now. Today Pakistan’s internal security is on stake. Dozens of people were killed, hundreds were injured in recent wave of terrorism. Sehwan blast had mourned the whole nation and there is strong fear of insecurity and terrorism is the agenda of discussion among masses. Operation Radul Fasad has been launched to counter terrorism and conduct intelligence based operations to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan. A well-known number of soldiers sacrifice their lives for the better and peaceful future of Pakistan but still we failed to eradicate terrorism in practical manner because enemy lies within and now it is more furious, supportive and powerful, which can be imagined from recent attacks,” Babar Khan Bozdar says.

From his point of view, security in Pakistan is linked with Afghanistan.

“Peaceful Afghanistan is in the favor of Pakistan. To cope with this serious issues Pakistan needs to strengthen border security and its strong control over tribal areas,” the expert believes.

In his opinion, Pakistani authorities shouldn’t expect much from collaboration with Kabul.

“Pakistan should rather depend on its assets and techniques to secure the outskirt from the Pakistani side. These two measures will empower Pakistan to oversee successfully the drop out of the inward strife in Afghanistan,” the analyst resumes.