ISLAMABAD: A groundbreaking study based on primary sources on causes of terrorism and the phenomenon of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was launched on Tuesday at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute.

The book was titled, ‘Recrudescence of TTP Violence – Its Causes and Possible Remedies’ and its launch was addressed by Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan; ambassador Inamul Haq, retired services personnel, diplomats and academicians.

The study focused on the causes of the current spike in terrorism by the TTP, and took a deep look into the spillover effects in the wake of the US withdrawal environment, internally and externally. The study had been carried out by utilising primary sources and field surveys, and in the process all the main stakeholders in the counterterrorism apparatus of the state were consulted.

A statement issued by the IPRI said that field surveys and the opinion of the local population on issues of security and development in the merged districts constituted an original input. The outcome of the result was not a product of an academic exercise but practical insights of the stakeholders. The causes of TTP violence included the rise of a friendly Taliban government in Afghanistan and a concomitant model of governance worth emulating as per the distorted understanding of the non-state actors like the TTP.

Other causes identified by the study were: inconsistency of policies, lack of political ownership of counter terrorism policies and narrative by political leadership, and the capacity deficit of police and civil administration in merged districts.

The statement said that the ecosystem of crime and illegal activities, including smuggling, extortion, and narcotics trade was a major abettor of terrorism. To counter the TTP, a whole of the nation’s effort was required with consistent policies and full political ownership.

The economic integration of merged districts was identified as the most puissant antidote to militancy as evidenced by a significant reduction in crime and militancy in Darra Adam Khel, Kurram and Orakzai districts due to the coal business.

The study said that border control measures need to ensure that the multiple stakeholders that had benefited from rents of illegal activities were weaned off from corrupt practices. Similarly, the reduction in trade tariffs and provision of subsidies for cross-border trade were considered a vital measure to disincentive the illegal ecosystem.

Ambassador Durrani lauded the research effort of the IPRI team and highlighted the need for the rule of law and starters patience while developing the merged districts and dealing with the Afghan interim government.

The recommendations of the study, in his opinion, would be extremely useful for policymakers at the national and provincial levels to frame a holistic long-term vision for countering terrorism as well as economic integration of the restive merged districts.

Evolution of insurgency

The book gave a tour d’ horizon of the historical evolution of insurgency and concomitant changes in the social environment in the merged districts; the causes of the resurgence of the TTP violence, including the contribution of the Afghan government towards the current wave of TTP terrorism, other contributory factors like socio-economic deprivations, lack of political ownership, inconsistency in policies, and terror-crime nexus.

An effort had also been made to understand the dynamics of the Fata merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by soliciting views of the local population.

Participants learnt that the abrupt end of FCR Regulations and the merger of tribal districts had posed problems and challenges; and was coupled with the unfortunate tendency in Afghanistan of blaming Pakistan for the ills. The speakers observed that things were in a state of flux, and stability was not round the corner in the neighbouring state.

The study listed out workable recommendations in the political and administrative areas, such as policymaking and political ownership, governance, capacity-building of police, establishment of judiciary in merged districts, economic integration and livelihood provision, elimination of ecosystem of organised crime and prompt settlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024