F Z Khan
PAKISTAN’S war against terror has entered its most critical phase.
The enemy today is not simply the terrorist with a gun in hand, behind it actually is the ideology that arms him. Our army continues to fight valiantly against the TTP terrorists. This Fitna al-Khawarij is the deviant influenced by Takfiris, who, with a wrong interpretation of an edict of Imam ibn Tamiya, exploit the true essence of religion only to justify violence and rebellion. Yet, the deeper threat is not the TTP alone; it is the Talibanism instead, which is an extremist ideology that distorts the truth of the faith of Islam, that poisons young minds and seeks to uproot the very foundations on which Pakistan was created.
Pakistan Army’s role is clear: to fight terrorists, wherever they may be and to ensure that no hostile element, foreign or domestic, can harm the nation. Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed in Peshawar, the other day, that Pakistan will not allow the Afghan soil to be used as a sanctuary for terrorists waging war against the Pakistani State. Speaking to tribal elders, he warned that the Taliban in Kabul continue to “provide all possible assistance” to Indian proxy groups like TTP-Fitna al Khwarij and BLA-Fitna al Hindustan.
The question is, while the army is fighting the Taliban terrorists on the battlefield, who is meant to fight Talibanism or the ideology that breeds the Taliban? TTP and its affiliates claim to wage jihad, but its acts (of terror) betray Islam’s principles? They kill innocent people, women and children; they attack mosques, schools and hospitals; they mutilate bodies and “play football with their heads”; and they declare the state of Pakistan, founded in the name of Islam, as kafir (infidel). How come? This warped ideology mirrors the Khawarij of early Islam who rebelled against the legitimate authority; misinterpreted the Quran and Hadith; and justified bloodshed in the name of piety and purity! How come? The problem is larger than cross-border terror; it is the creeping spread of Talibanization, which is the social, political and religious mindset that sympathizes with such groups. Army can eliminate militants, but it can’t by itself or without the help of strata eradicate the ideology that sustains them. Talibanization takes root in the minds of those who, often unknowingly, absorb extremist narratives. When segments of society begin to romanticize the Taliban as defenders of faith, or when sympathy is extended to groups who kill in the name of Islam, the threat multiplies as the DG ISPR warned in his recent press briefing at Peshawar. This is why our fight against terrorism must be fought on two fronts: the kinetic and the ideological.
The kinetic front belongs to the army and the law enforcement agencies. The ideological front, however, belongs to the society at large. It is a battle of ideas, to be fought in classrooms, mosques, media and online spaces where young minds are shaped. The handlers of suicide bombers and radicals exploit ignorance. They plant in the minds of youth the false belief that Pakistan’s rulers, army and citizens are kafir. This is very poisonous, designed to fracture Pakistan from within. The same Pakistan they attack is a nation built in the name of Islam, to safeguard the rights of Muslims.
So, we stand today at a decisive moment. The Army, as the Field Marshal affirmed, will continue its mission until the last terrorist is eliminated. The security operations in KP, Balochistan and elsewhere reflect this will. But the military victory must be matched by an intellectual and social victory. This requires national consensus; a single, unifying agenda against extremism in all forms. The political leadership, intelligentsia, academia, journalists, influencers, teachers, elders, especially religious scholars must rise together to expose the falsehoods of Talibanism and Talibanization. Silence or ambiguity only strengthens the extremists and terrorists. Religious scholars carry a sacred duty. They must reclaim the narrative from those who have hijacked it.
The danger of Talibanization is not confined within our borders. It is part of a regional strategy by hostile India to use Afghanistan as a base for destabilizing Pakistan. This is why the talks in Istanbul-Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, are crucial. The ceasefire and monitoring mechanisms agreed upon are steps towards containing cross-border terrorism. Kabul must not allow itself to become an Indian proxy.
Terrorism can be defeated by force. Talibanism can only be defeated by conviction. The real battle is for the hearts and minds of Pakistanis, especially the youth. Every teacher, parent and religious leader must help build an intellectual firewall against extremism. The media must educate, not sensationalize. The political class must set aside divisions to forge a common front for national stability. The Army can destroy terror networks, but it is the responsibility of the nation to destroy the ideology that fuels them. As long as Talibanization finds sympathizers, it will continue to regenerate. Pakistan must decide, once and for all, to totally reject this cancerous ideology and reaffirm its founding vision: a modern, moderate and peaceful Islamic state.
In this defining battle, there is no middle ground. Pakistan must not only defeat terrorists; it must defeat Talibanism come what may. The battle against this ideology should be the foundation of a national campaign, cutting across political divides, appealing to teachers, scholars, journalists, anchors, social media influences, above all Ulema and Mashaikh, students and youth alike. The battle of ideas, identity and faith is indeed where the war must now be won. Talibanization is treason against Pakistan and Pakistanis’ faith and future. This is a war not only for the soul of Islam, but the soul of Pakistan.
—The writer is a freelance columnist.
