Senators want narrative to defeat extremist mindset

Say recent terror incidents suggest next generation of militants stemming from academic institutes

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday stressed the need to devise a counter narrative to effectively respond to the growing militancy threat in the country, concluding that military action alone would not serve the purpose.

The lawmakers were of the view that recent incidents of terrorism suggest that next generation of militants and terrorists are stemming from academic institutes and this alarming situation demands formulation of a reactive narrative to counter militants.

Several senators took part in the discussion initiated on a motion moved by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar, regarding development of an alternative narrative to curb militancy as envisaged in the National Action Plan.

“So far, Pakistan tried to tackle the issue of militancy, which is war of minds and ideas indeed, through military solution. No attention has been given on building a counter-narrative to challenge the mindset of militants,” Senator Babar said while initiating the debate.



While recalling approach and strategy of a powerful state institution in 1980s after which Pakistan got directly involved in Afghan Jihad, he lamented that it’s the state that cultivated militancy in the minds of even highly-qualified individuals over a period of time.

“Everyone remembers the motto of Pakistan Army –Iman, Taqwa, Jihad-fi-Sabilillah [faith, piety, and holy war in the path of Allah]. Later, the idea of holy war was privatised by a state institution. And this idea still haunts the integrity of Pakistan,” Babar observed.

He said to plant the idea in the minds the syllabus was contaminated and altered.

“State owned that idea in letter and spirit and in return it developed a mindset which not only supports but executes that ideology every now and then,” he said.

Babar suggested that the Senate Committee of the Whole should be given the task to build a new national narrative.



Taking part in the debate, PTI Senator Syed Shibli Faraz said former military dictator Ziaul Haq destroyed the rich culture, literature, sports and arts and planted seeds of hatred into the minds and hearts of the people.

“The whole nation is stuck with Allama Iqbal’s philosophy and seems reluctant to step forward and adopt other narratives suggested by other successful poets and writers,” Faraz said.

MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi said Pakistan does not need to devise a new narrative as founder of the country Muhammad Ali Jinnah had elaborated it in his famous August 11, 1947 speech to the Constituent Assembly – where he talked about freedom of religion in newly-created Islamic welfare state, Pakistan.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the August 11 speech had faced censorship and it was not preached openly by the state, adding that the Sindh government would make that speech part of the school curriculum.



Senator Usman Khan Kakar of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party termed the former army generals responsible for spreading extremism in society. “Even the former interior minister [Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan] had links with terrorists.

Hafiz Hamdullah of JUI-F said not only an institution but all, including army, Judiciary, religious leaders and politicians, were responsible for the situation.

Winding up the debate, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said last two dictators crafted narratives keeping in mind their own protection instead of prosperity of Pakistan.