Shifting Roles in the Struggle Against Extremism

Muhammad Wasib

The experience of Pakistan in the war against terror in the world has been tedious, agonising, and reformative. Pakistan was once the worst-hit victims of terrorism and where the terrorists thrived, but now, Pakistan has taken a different turn and shifted the world outlook not only of its safety but also for the entire cause of international stability within the region. The arrest of top level Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) terrorists, Abu Yasir and Shareefullah, in their recent apprehension, and their transfer back to the United States and Turkey, respectively, have once again raised the fact that Pakistan has played a pivotal role in that.

Pakistan’s arrest and repatriation of ISKP leaders Abu Yasir and Shareefullah demonstrate strategic intelligence success.

These are the operations that are carried out based on specific intelligence and thorough coordination, which are not independent phenomena. They represent an end product of hard work and a long-term perspective, which considers terrorism as a transnational issue and cannot be addressed in isolation. The point is simple: the war against terrorism is not a fight over the territorial integrity or serenity of Pakistan, but of the security and the safety of the whole region and the international society in general.

The importance of the capture and repatriation of ISKP Abu Yasir and Shareefullah cannot be overestimated. These people were not foot soldiers but the central planners of planned attacks, some of which were against international interests and events. Neutralizing such figures, Pakistan has not only thwarted the big plots but also demonstrated its preparedness and ability to act fast, efficiently, and according to the interests and goals of the international community.

It is not a simple counter-terrorism victory. This shows the long-standing dedication of Pakistan to world peace and justice. With the world facing a new kind of threat, be it lone-wolf terror or transnational organized terror, the proactive approach by Pakistan to achieve better international security serves as an example of collaboration.

Counterterrorism efforts reflect Pakistan’s commitment beyond national security to regional and global peace.

It is a phenomenal achievement, and the intelligence in Pakistan has rightly earned some credit for its vigilance and success in such elaborate action. They are not defensive measures in response to pressure, but they are a step in a larger policy of anticipation and prevention. Being able to identify threats well in advance of turning into turmoil, Pakistan has shown that not only does it not wait to have a crisis, but it also strives hard to avoid one. By doing this, it will help preserve world events, territorial integrity, and icons of international peace, which is what all good nations should be standing behind.

Pakistan Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff has formed the core of this counter-terror approach. His military leadership, which has prior understanding of years of operational experience, and vision has guided the nation to great success in counter-terrorism (CT). This visit comes at an opportune time as a way of strengthening Pak-US partnership in security, intelligence, and vice versa, and stability in the region on the eve of a scheduled trip to the United States. The entry of Field Marshal Munir into the world scene is not just a mere symbolic gesture, but it displays a lot of seriousness and authenticity to the world about the importance of Pakistan as a global partner who is serious in peace missions in the world.

The world needs to realize the change that has taken place in Pakistan. The land that people used to view through the prism of its torture is now a stabilizing force in the region, a major player in the intelligence sharing domain, and a frontier against further proliferation of violent extremism. Whether in its entire peace in tribal regions or its interaction with its neighboring countries or the international centers of power, the strategic positioning of Pakistan has drastically changed towards stability, cooperation, and long-term peacebuilding in the region.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s leadership marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s counterterrorism posture.

It has already been long accepted in theory that terrorism is a global issue, and it has to be tackled globally. What Pakistan has demonstrated, time and again, is that it is a practitioner of this principle. It is either through the use of military instruments such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd ul Fasaad, diplomatic collaboration, or on-time intelligence, agenting, Pakistan has remained firmly committed to ensuring global peace and protection of its universal interests.

Those actions cannot be considered in isolation and assumed. The trusted relationship that Pakistan has built as a cooperative partner against terror is not an overnight success. It has taken the lives of thousands of people, broken down families, and pressured its economy a lot. Yet, the nation survived, regrouped, reorganized itself, and reasserted its renewed spirit.

The detention and surrender of the ISKP fighters is but a paragraph in another much bigger volume, the chapter of how Pakistan has taken the leaps to go beyond being a battleground and instead has become a bastion. The international community needs to recognize this process and help Pakistan put more effort into its CT process and expand intelligence, security, and regional discussion.

Pakistan’s transformation from a terror battleground to a stabilizing partner requires greater international recognition and support.

The current stance of Pakistan is not weak or desperate, but a leadership role and strength. It has struggled, sacrificed, and come out as a nation that is very much dedicated to regional and global peace. The world is facing a series of new and emerging threats, and Pakistan is rising above all these challenges as not only a terrorism survivor but also as a fighter.

The writer is pursuing MS from Ripha International University.