Combating Terrorists and Extremists Is Mandatory for Pakistan
By Asad Mufti
Translated
from Urdu by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New
Age Islam
8 June 2024
The End of Terrorism in Pakistan Is Necessary!
Main Points
1.
Asif Ali Zardari, has announced that
fighting against terrorists and extremists is essential for Pakistan.
2.
Indian Foreign Minister emphasizes
the need to prevent terrorism and anti-India activities before improving the
relationship with Pakistan.
3.
Pakistani community adheres to
moderation and religious tolerance, similar to the Indian community
4.
India became increasingly secular
after partition thanks to the legalization of moderate traditions, democracy,
tolerance, and secularism.
5.
Sufis and Dervishes have
significantly shaped the cultural landscape of both nations.
6.
Forceful methods should not be used
to protect fundamental principles of religion.
7.
Pakistani religious leaders have
reinterpreted the concept of Jihad to serve their own agendas, leading to the
world viewing Jihad as terrorism.
8.
Extremism is a symptom of a disease
that includes adopting one's opinions as absolute truths and forcing them on
others.
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The
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has declared that combating terrorists
and extremists is mandatory for Pakistan. The terrorist groups undoubtedly
possess a specific political goal they aim to achieve by imposing their will on
us and gaining control by means of violence. However, my administration will
prevent them from pursuing such actions.
Conversely,
the Indian Foreign Minister has reiterated in a recent interview that the
primary focus must be to prevent terrorism and anti-India activities before any
advancement can occur in the relationship between the two countries. It is
imperative to take action against the terrorist groups in Pakistan that carry
out activities inside India.
My issue is
that, as I am sitting here in Amsterdam, Netherlands, I realise that all we had
was a dream, and all that remains is hope, I am waiting for a genuine
friendship to blossom between the two nations.
The state
of law and order in Pakistan is well-known to all. The measures India has
implemented to enhance ties with Pakistan are designed to achieve genuine peace
and safety across the subcontinent. This is the position Asif Zardari has
expressed, emphasizing his reputation for fostering friendships, peace, and
unity between India and Pakistan. President Asif Zardari is fundamentally an
optimistic individual, and I genuinely believe that his assessment of
terrorists is entirely accurate.
Our history
demonstrates that no issue has ever been resolved in this place by force,
hostility, or dictatorship, and even when it has, the solution may not be
permanent. The employment of propaganda, cold war and pointless confrontation
have not benefited Pakistan or India in any way.
The vast
majority of people in both nations believe that neither Pakistan nor India have
gained anything from this unnecessary dispute or the sixty years of propaganda
and rivalry between them.
I believe
that the Pakistani community also adheres to principles of moderation and
religious tolerance, similar to that of the Indian community. However, it is
worth noting that following the partition, India became increasingly secular
compared to Pakistan, thanks to the legalization of moderate traditions,
democracy, tolerance, and secularism. It is undeniable that Sufis and Dervishes
have significantly shaped the cultural landscape of both nations.
If not now,
then perhaps in the future, the radicalism present here must die. If the roots
of an extremist plant are not in the ground, they will never grow into a tree.
This radicalism, whether it stems from religious beliefs or societal issues, is
completely unacceptable. Individuals who provoke violence or fear for political
gains and aim at specific groups are engaging in total terrorism. Such
behaviours must be denounced from every aspect of society, every social class,
and in all locales; politics and violence are incompatible and have no place
together.
Many
immature individuals, including my fellow writers, hold the mistaken view that
the fundamental principles of religion can only be protected by using forceful
methods. This idea is completely wrong. There might indeed be some truth in
what others say. Not every conversation you have is bad, and not every one of
theirs is either.
I consider
extremism to be a symptom rather than a disease. Symptoms of the disease
include adopting one's opinions as absolute truths and forcing them on other
people. These days, some Pakistani religious leaders have reinterpreted the
concept of Jihad to better serve their own agendas, and the phrase is being
used in a way that has led to the world viewing Jihad as terrorism. Although
the majority of people believe that terrorists are not religious—thus, are they
communists? —terrorists are undoubtedly inspired by radicalism, ideology, and
religion.
Ultimately,
I wish to convey to those in power that if they genuinely want to fight
extremism and terrorism, they need to realize that if these extremists, terrorists,
combatants, militants, libertarians, Fedayeen, and others are not addressed
promptly, the country will face even more problems. If the country keeps facing
these issues, chaos will ensue, and chaos can lead to events beyond anyone's
wildest imagination.
Maybe this
entire setting is reflected in this poem I wrote.
Aadhi Sadi Guzar Gayi Baaligh Na Ho Saka
Aye Kishwar-E-Haseen, Teri Qismat Kharab Hai
[A
half-century gone by,
Yet still
you remain a minor,
Oh lovely
country, oh my,
You're
having terrible luck, no finer.]
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Urdu Article:
The End of Terrorism Is Necessary! !دہشت گردی کا خاتمہ ضروری
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/combating-terrorists-extremists-pakistan/d/132471