1. Introduction

a. TTP, an umbrella organization under which there around sixty militant outfits performing in the country.
b. TTP is also involved in all other forms of criminal activity: drugs, kidnapping, extortion.
c. It has foreigner troops i.e. Uzbeks and Chechens.
d. Till now more than 50,000 people have died because of the ‘war on terror’ in Pakistan.
e. There is no writ of government in the peripheries (FATA and Balochistan)

2. The Scope of Issue

a. Terrorism in Pakistan is a multifaceted issue with its sectarian, ethnic and extremist orientations
b. It has severely affected the economy of the country which is evident from hyperflation, unemployment, declined tourism, capital flight and so on
c. The social fabric of the country has torn apart and a number of social crimes and problems emanate from the issue of terrorism, such as polio eradication challenge, negligible growth in literacy rate, women persecution etc.
d. International community is labeling Pakistan as a safe haven for the terrorists which has highly affected the country’s goodwill outside

3. Precedents of Dialogue in the Past

a. In April 2004, the first peace deal was signed between Pakistan with the militants in South Waziristan which couldn’t bear the fruit of peace as Nek Muhammad was killed in a drone attack
b. The second deal was signed in February 2005 with Baitullah Mehsud which was also broken as the militants did not stop the bloodshed
c. The third agreement was signed with Mullah Fazlullah in Swat in 2009 which also could not bring the peace and tranquility in the area and was eventually broken by the Taliban and a military operation

4. Dialogue v/s Military Operation

a. Government should go for the dialogue but with the position of strength and so is not the situation unfortunately
b. Dialogue would not be successful as the demands (sharia rule, withdrawal of military from Waziristan, liberation of the militants in jails etc.) of the militants are unacceptable
c. Dialogue might not be successful as the militants do not recognize the constitution of Pakistan and they have their own broader interests
d. There is still no clear policy to deal with the Taliban if the government is willing to pursue the dialogue option
e. A full-fledge military operation will not be much effective as the militants hideouts are complex and their fighting practices are of a guerilla warfare
f. Selective and periodic military operations for a long time can be a better a way to deal with the militancy as the enemy is not on the front of combat field rather it is in the hiding
g. Military operation can be successful if the enemy is considered only one and no any difference of good or bad Taliban is made

5. A ‘Five Ds’ Strategy to Engage with the Taliban

a. Dictation – the government should set out some parameters for negotiations with the militants, such as acceptance of the constitution, surrender of all heavy arms, expulsion of foreigners within the TTP, and end the collaboration with the external powers
b. Defeat – the TTP must be put on the defensive as the Pakistan army has the potential to conduct multiple and simultaneous operations to kill or capture the TTP militants in FATA, Swat, Peshawar and Karachi
c. Decapitation – If charismatic leaders of the TTP are eliminated there can be more probability that the militants will be switched to the defensive position
d. Demotivation – The TTP’s rank and file and some of its leaders can be persuaded by ‘carrots and sticks to disengage from their violent course
e. Deradicalization – as the alliance with the US is ending, the attacks will not be justified in Pakistani territory and the social reforms through education, jobs and other opportunities can be winning options

6. Conclusion

a. A coherent and consistent approach towards the issue of militancy will surely bring some positive results
b. Resolution of the issue of terrorism will bring prosperity in terms of economic growth and social harmony
c. If the government still fails to tackle this critical issue which according to the former Army Chief Retired General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiyani is a matter of life and death for Pakistan then the extremism, violence, and unrest will spread throughout Pakistan.
d. Then it would be very difficult for us to control the situation and our country might tuen into another Iraq, Syria or Somalia


Please dear seniors do share your view on the notes. I haven't got any suggestions for improvement yet.

Experts' consent actually boosts the level of confidence and serves as motivator for us to do more.


I'll be much grateful.

Thanks