Terrorism in Pakistan, Causes and Remedies

Terrorism in Pakistan: Causes & Remedies
Muhammad Irshad∗
Abstract
As is known, for centuries, various acts of terrorism have been
carried out in different parts of the world by different groups
for a variety of purposes. Sometimes a communist
organization, sometimes a fascist group, and sometimes
radical and separatist factions assume responsibility for these
acts. The nature of terrorism changes with changing world
conditions and increases its impact and power with the new
means made possible by developing technology. Terrorism is
the cruelest of crimes. The universal revulsion at the events of
September 2001, the "War on Terror" has magnified many
folds the global threat of terrorism.
Keywords: Terrorism, War on Terror, Pakistan
Retrospective View
This early history of terrorism throws some light on the present crisis and
the “war” against terrorism. The growing of “non-state” terror is an old
phenomenon lately discovered. International terrorism became a
prominent tool of political agenda in the late 1960s.1
It was applied by
Palestinians for the attainment of their legitimate political rights. It was
adopted as a “weapon of the poor”. The largest act of international
terrorism occurred on September 11, 2001 in a set of coordinated attacks
on the United States. The United States has made the "War on
Terrorism" the centerpiece of its global strategy since the attacks on
Pentagon and World Trade Center on 11 September, 2001.2
It has
proclaimed its leadership of a world-wide alliance to exterminate this
scourge of terrorism. But the bombing of Afghanistan is not a revenge
for New York and Washington. It is yet another act of terror against the
people of the world. Each innocent person that is killed must be added to
the toll of civilians who died in New York and Washington. The United
States is pursuing its War on Terror without addressing its root causes
which are social, economic and political in nature and not military.

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