Pakistan needs to develop consensus on combating radicalization and extremism: Parvaiz Hoodbhoy

“There is need to create harmony and consensus in the society and the political forces to combat radicalization and extremism as their threat is rapid increasing. Radicalization is a process or series of experiences that an individual goes through, and at the end of which it becomes an extremist, the ultimate outcome of which is … Read more

External players will continue to exploit Pakistan’s internal security threats if left unmanaged

“The security challenges to Pakistan in the form of religious extremism, terrorism and radicalization, are internal and real, which if not managed through a comprehensive security policy will continue to be exploited by the external players. Once the internal security issues are resolved, the external links of the miscreants, militants and nationalist insurgents will cease … Read more

Radicalization can be religious, secular, political or economic phenomenon: Shabana Fayyaz

Radicalization is as an ongoing phenomenon and to define it there is need to look at the theoretical interpretations of the subject overtime. One must understand the radicalization in context of theories and approaches put forward by traditionalists/behaviorists, structuralists and constructivists. Radicalization is a process, which is not stagnant in its nature. In its definition … Read more

Radicalization in Pakistan: Journalists see media’s reconciliatory role as desirable

Radicalization has become too a complex phenomenon in Pakistan to be tackled by media alone. Media should, however, play the role of a mediator between government and the people. Becoming a motivational force for peace, Pakistani media can initiate a dialogue and based-on-it reconciliation. But for this, media groups and journalists would have to adopt … Read more

Building infrastructure and institutions is imperative to restore peace in FATA

The deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Pakistani tribal areas can be addressed by building infrastructure and institutions there. This was stated by Syed Adnan Ali Shah, PhD fellow and in-charge South Asia Desk at ICPVTR, Singapore, while delivering his lecture on “An overview of militancy in FATA” at PIPS on January 23, 2009. Before … Read more

Terrorism is a product of strategic choices and psychological forces: Prof. Adam Dolnik

There is something more than mere psychological forces which motivates people to become terrorists. Terrorism is a strategic choice opted by the terrorists to correct their perceived [and stated] sense of the deprivations, grievances and injustices. This was stated by Prof. Adam Dolnik while addressing a session on “What do we know about why do … Read more

Absence of constitutional means and biased social structure give birth to radicalism: Dr. Rasul Baksh Rais

“Absence of constitutional means, human freedom, unequal distribution of the wealth, biased social structure and weak law and order situation produce radical movements in the developing or developed societies,” said Dr. Rasul Bakhsh Rais, who addressed a “session on defining the Phenomenon of Radicalization in Pakistan” organized by the PIPS on January 2, 2009 at … Read more

Reviewing Afghan and Iraq policies is necessary: Stephan

“Desire for revenge is also behind the violent activities. Non-violent means have been failed and something must be done. Improving domestic socioeconomic and political situation and reviewing foreign policy in terms of Afghanistan and Iraq is necessary,” remarked Mr. Stephan Tankel while addressing a session on “Radicalization in the West” on December 24 at the … Read more

West looks at radicalization of Pakistani youth from a religious lens: Dr. Riffat

“The west has tried to look at the issue of motivation of the radicalization of youth in Pakistan from a religious lens. We need to go away from this and look at non-religious factors, which may be contributing as a motivating force,” commented Dr. Riffat Hussein, who is a prominent scholar and professor at Quaid-i-Azam … Read more