Curbing terrorism: Youth being exploited by terrorist groups, says army chief

Gen Qamar says extremism not due to any religion or ideology

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday admitted that the Pakistani youth was being exploited by terrorist groups due to poor governance and lack of justice in society.

In a keynote address at a seminar on the role of youth in fighting terrorism and extremism organised by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the army chief spoke at length about the country’s recent gains against militant groups, impending challenges as well as the way forward.

But the thrust of his speech was how to ensure that the youth does not get involved in activities that are not only detrimental to their own future but also Pakistan’s.

“Pakistan is a young nation, both in history and demographically. Demographically, over 50 per cent of our population is projected to be less than 25 years of age. The future of our country literally lies with the direction that our youth take over the next few years,” he explained.

“We are standing at a crossroads; ten years down the line, we will either be enjoying the fruits of a youth dividend or suffering at the hands of a youth bulge, especially with the youth which remains vulnerable to extremism.”

“Extremism is a relative term. It is relative to our perception of what is normal. Therefore, we will only have a clear concept of extremism if we have a clear concept of our own identity and values.”



“A youth driven towards extremism is a youth without a clear idea of its values and identity,” the army chief argued.

He maintained that most important stimulus driving a young adult, was to find purpose and meaning in life.

“It is during this stage that one is ready to commit to professions, to relationships, to causes and to ideologies. It is a wonderful stage in life; but it is also the most vulnerable.”

“Extremism is also related to the environment and the time we live in. From that perspective, we must admit that Pakistani youth is being exploited due to poor governance and lack of justice in society,” the army chief added.

Talking about the Pakistani gains against terrorism, Gen Qamar said as a nation, Pakistan had fought the menace of terrorism most valiantly, giving unparalleled sacrifices.

“Our armed forces have set an example for the whole world in cleansing these barbarians from their potholes. Our success is acknowledged the world over,” he added.



Elaborating the challenges facing the country, the army chief said Pakistan is at the most critical phase of its war against terrorism.

“As we transit gradually from major operations against terrorism to more intricate, targeted operations against residual threat, under the ambit of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, we must also find ways to ensure that the causes behind terrorism are addressed and National Action Plan is actualised.”

“Foremost amongst them is extremism. Please remember, while army fights terrorists, terrorism and extremism is fought by law enforcing agencies and society.”

Talking about the growing misperception equating terrorism with a particular religion, Gen Qamar said the term ‘extremism’ was often unjustly applied to devout sections of Muslim societies, alienating them in the process.

“Although it is not always out of malice, but misunderstanding; yet it is imperative that we understand extremism in our own context.”

“The Western definitions of countering violent extremism are mostly confined to what they call ‘Islamic extremism.”



“It is unfair and dangerous. Unfair, because of its inherent and totally wrong association of extremism with Islam. Dangerous, because it focuses too much attention on Muslim societies and masks the rise of extremism in multiple societies across the world.”

Referring to the rise of Hindu extremist groups in the neighbouring India, the army chief said India seems to have given in to extremism to such an extent that it had become the new normal.

He further said the Hindutva extremism of the RSS and their GaoRakshaks, deprivation of Palestinians, the burning and desecration of mosques or gurdwaras in western capitals, the rise of hyper nationalists and the monster of racism, were all manifestations of extremism.

“We can easily say, it is emerging as a transnational phenomenon hence warranting a transnational, unified response.”

“Extremism is not due to any religion or ideology, it is a mindset where passion has given way to hate and intolerance of others.”

On challenges facing the Muslim world, Gen Qamar said the whole Muslim world seems to be on fire. “The country seems threatened from multiple directions. It just does not seem fair.”



“Despite incessant propaganda, the fact is that as a nation, Pakistan has rejected terrorism. That speaks of the robustness of our social and religious values and I have no doubt that we equally reject extremism in all its manifestations.”

He said the first ever PSL Cricket Final at Lahore and celebration of 23rd March with three foreign contingents, had shown that our spirit was unbreakable and no one could isolate Pakistan.

“With Pakistan becoming securer and promising by the day, it is perhaps time to reverse brain drain. Your country needs you more than any other country in the world.”

He said Pakistan’s enemies, both state and non-state, were actively pursuing divisive tendencies in society.

“Let me say that they are waging the biggest and most sustained Hybrid War against us from multiple directions and using multiple ways.”

“We are being targeted by not only terrorists but also spin masters of multiple hostile agencies, trying to subvert our minds, particularly that of our youth. Being denied opportunities in the mainstream media, they are using faceless platforms on the internet and smart phones.”



He said Indian leadership had made no secret of his active involvement in proxy struggle in erstwhile East Pakistan and now in Balochistan; nor were the assertions of some other leaders, any more secret

“We are cognizant of these threats and are actively countering them with the support of the whole nation.”

“Please remember, we have defeated terrorism together, now we will go after extremism too and rout it with our values, mental faculties and physical energies,” the army chief said.

He said Pakistan had done well in denying terrorists of all hues and colours, any foot hold in our territory.

“We have ensured the writ of State in the farthest and remotest corners of the country. Today there are no safe havens for any miscreants in Pakistan.”

“We are actively taking measure to ensure that even residual presence does not use Pakistan’s soil against any country, nor will we tolerate others doing so against us.”

“Having defeated terrorism physically, now their deceitful message and narrative must also be defeated.”

“These so called Muslims, have nothing to do with Islam. They are just a bunch of thugs and killers led by their greed and evil ideologues.”

“They have realised that through ballot they cannot achieve power but through violence they can, therefore coercion, fear and destruction are their tools of choice. If you strip away the guile and verbosity, what they say amounts to stopping the fire by lighting more fire.”

“Let’s join hands to counter extremism by providing ideal environment in your respective institutions and through diligence and discipline. Let’s help each other in identifying, curtailing and defeating any attempts to pollute the minds of our youth,” he concluded.