ISLAMABAD — Experts at a seminar on “Innovating means to resolve radical extremism in Pakistan” on Wednesday suggested the government to establish Counter Terrorism Strategy and following others countries role model who controlled extremism in their countries through appropriate measures. Several countries have confronted the menace of radicalism, extremism and made progress by taking appropriate measures. Violent extremism is undoubtedly a vital issue today, and one that is actively destroying the very fabric of our society by creating and expanding the existing divides and damaging the image of Pakistan abroad, as well as constituting a serious threat to the peace and security both within the country and beyond its borders. Pakistan has suffered greatly in the war on terror both physically and economically and expressed dissatisfaction that still the country don't have proper counter terrorism policy. Therefore, the experts suggested the government to establish counter terrorism policy as early as possible and get ride of it once for ever. The Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies (CPGS) though a nascent think tank embarked upon project Sensitizing, Accessing, Linking, Acting, Monitoring (SALAM), which aims at mobilizing our national resources to wind-down the menace of radicalization. President of the CPGS Senator Sehar Kamran said Pakistan needs broad base policy over radical extremism and properly required political will and commitment not only on part of government but all segment of society. Change can't be achieved over night, but it will take a long and consistent effort—perhaps as long as it took to radicalize a peaceful society into a radical one. But if there is the political will and a comprehensive and well defined policy, the change becomes inevitable. In carrying forward the project, she expressed the hoping to undertake a multidimensional approach and carry out a comprehensive plan of action under our mega Project SALAM, that entails sensitizing the society, accessing all possible groups and institutions, link their efforts, act to persuade decision makers and finally manage and monitor the progress. Former Joint Chief of Staff Committee Gen (Retd) Ehsanul Haq told the participants that Pakistan has been in the forefront against the scourge of violent extremism and terrorism. After 9/11 incident, he said a mushroom growth of Madrassahs was founded and Jehadi fervor promoted in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions. This was to provide the base for creation of Alqaeda and the Taliban. The 9/11 incident was a game-changer in the global security dynamic but Pakistan has borne the brunt of its fall out and suffered heavily in the war on terror and causalities has crossed 40,000. He also claimed that the challenges of extremism and fundamentalism lie deep in Muslim conscious. Haq further said we have to view the situation in its border ideological context and endeavor to seek effective response, through shared experiences, amongst the Muslim states and not restricted to national domain. The success model of others countries, who controlled extremism should be adopted and the mis-use of Islam stopped immediately. — Agencies
