NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Retd) has underlined the need to look at the underlying factors and root causes in different parts of the world, which gives birth to terrorism. "We should have a broaden outlook and in-depth understanding in examining the exact causes of this global phenomenon that has unfortunately tarnished the image of universal appeal of the divine religion of Islam and peace loving Muslim societies", he added.
He was addressing a one-day seminar on the topic, "Phenomenon of terrorism; implication for Pakistan and the Muslim World" organised by the Department of International Relations Peshawar University in collaboration with the Media Cell of Governor's Secretariat Fata here at the local hotel on Thursday.
The Governor said the Pakistan under President General Pervez Musharraf was resolutely expounding the strategy of enlightening moderation not in words but also in deeds with a firm commitment.
He said that currently focussed on the tribal region that policy envisaged dealing with all the foreign militants with the iron hands to eliminate their sanctuaries, training facilities and local or cross border support with a resolute determination.
Dilating upon the policy towards the menace of terrorism and extremism, the Governor said that with the concept of enlightened moderation and a well-taught out doctrine of peaceful co-existence, that vigorous policy was aimed to shun all sorts of conflicts whether in the name of caste, creed and sect.
He said the government was determined to portray a true and real image of Pakistan and its peaceful populace not merely through rhetoric but also through a series of practical action.
The Governor reiterated the government determination and resolute to keep the country especially the tribal areas free from the scourge of terrorism and hidden apparatus and their masterminds.
"We are consistent in our approach and actions not to allow our soil to be used by handful of misguided people whether local and aliens for carrying out acts of subversion by unleashing a reign of terror", the Governor remarked.
Being a partner in the global coalition against terrorism, the Governor added the government was fully conscious of its responsibility and would spare no efforts in keeping its soil free from preachers of violence and the enemies of humanity at every cost.
General Iftikhar also refereed to the generous offer of amnesty to the foreign elements and said that even now if they surrendered and guaranteed their peaceful conduct by renouncing terrorism, they would be allowed to stay in the tribal territories as long as they wish.
It was unfortunate, the Governor said, our generous offer of amnesty was not accepted by the militants who continued their act of sabotage. Most of the terrorists had either being killed or arrested at the crack down while their sanctuaries hideouts, training facilities, logistics and support planks have been effective knocked down, he added.
He said that the government had brought about peace and tranquillity to Waziristan. "We may have won a battle but our war against terrorism is not over as yet", General Iftikhar remarked.
He said we were committed to root out the remnants of militants and were prepared to pay the cost, as for us no price was too high which ensured safety, security and integrity of Pakistan.
General Iftikhar said the people of Waziristan extended full co-operation to the government in its endeavour to flush out the terrorists from their soil who were creating hurdles in way of their socio-economic uplift.
Describing terrorism as the most dangerous challenge for the contemporary world, General Iftikhar said there was unanimity of views amongst scholars and analysts that terrorism in all its form and manifestation was the most condemnable act of barbarities and savagery and it should treated as such.
That menace, he added, needed to be crushed with full might by implying all the methods and devices. The Governor said the militancy and savagery unleashed by a handful of extremist by exploiting the name of Islam had been hurting Pakistanis and Muslims more than non-Pakistanis and non-Muslim.
Pointing towards various acts of sabotage and subversion in Pakistan particularly life attempt on the President, Prime Minister and Corps Commander Karachi, the Governor said those acts reflected how those extremist groups and individuals organised co-ordinated and lastly executed their nefarious plans to create anarchy and chaos in Pakistan.
The Governor said Pakistan had also faced with another serious danger of sectarian terrorism, which was the most complicated and serious challenge confronted both the government and the civil society.
The Governor questioned as to whom were those extremists fighting with and to whom were they brutally killing and maiming. Through their mad and barbaric acts the perpetrators of those crimes against humanities were hurting their own compatriots and co-religionists in their so-called war against self-perceived enemies of Islam and those of Muslims, he said.
Sectarian violence can be properly contained and controlled through education, which promote tolerance, patience and understanding to listen to other points of views.
The Governor urged the scholars and thinkers to seriously ponder over that phenomenon and explore ways and means to pull the country and Muslim World out of that wrong perception, adding, "We have to make all out efforts to shut this image that Pakistan or Islam is fomenting terrorism".
The Governor emphasised the participants of the seminar that in that war of minds and intellect you had an added responsibility to come forward and correctly portray the reality through intellectual discourse.
To a question, he said the international relations did not have the concept of permanent friends and foes, there existed no consistency in the policy of the any country rather it was mould according to the national interest. That was what Pakistan did with regard to its policy towards Afghanistan, where a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere was in our national interest, he added.
The seminar was also addressed by renowned scholar and political analyst Dr Ross Masud, Professor Qibla Ayaz and Dr Muhammad Farooq Khan besides Dr Adnan Sarwar Khan Chairman Department of International Relations, whereas a paper of Colonel Muhammad Yahya (Retd) was also read out on the occasion.
They in their well taught out speeches expressed their views on the topic from different aspects. They said that the terrorism was not religion-specific, rather it was politically oriented. It is not an ideology but a methodology to achieve an object. They stressed that for a long-term solution the root causes must be addressed and immediate action must be taken for its removal. They tried to dig out the causes and consequence of terrorism.
The learned speakers including Dr Farooq and Professor Qibla Ayaz highlighted the topic in light of the teachings of Islam. They particularly referred to the concept of Jehad and said that it had been misunderstood or mis-portrayed by certain elements because Jehad in a wide perspective was a continuous struggle to reform the society and propagate Islamic values and teachings.
They also stressed that the terrorism must be defined first so as to have a clear demarcation between the terrorism and struggle for independence and self-determination. They were of the view that inflicting losses to non-combatants and hurting civil population was against the concept of Jehad.
Media Cell Director General Shahzaman Khan introduced the topic and highlighted the Pakistan role in the war against terror.
Comments
Comments are closed.