Fighting terrorism: Rabbani proposes new anti-terror paradigm

Draws up 14 recommendations in a letter to Senate chairman.

ISLAMABAD:

Already confronted with popular wrath for ‘abdicating responsibility,’ key leaders of the ruling coalition, for once in consonance with the opposition, have also begun to raise questions on the civilian government’s ability to protect the state and its citizens.

“A counter-narrative is required to counter the agents of terror operating under a philosophy and a thesis as military action alone will not suffice,” the PPP’s Mian Raza Rabbani wrote in an open letter to Senate chairman Farooq H Naek.

“The government should state the rules of engagement with international forces in the war on terror,” reads the letter. Rabbani has also called for amendments in the Anti-Terrorist Act, 1997, identification of internal and external terrorist groups and acting to restrain them from exporting terrorism.

Concerned over the political imbroglio and the deteriorating security situation, Rabbani has drawn up 14 recommendations in the letter to stem the rising tide of extremism.

The recommendations have come at a time when the ruling PPP is confronting a barrage of criticism both publicly and behind the scenes, say political analysts.

Now, he said, there is need for a centralised focus on national security to save the state.

Various party leaders have reservations over the way the government is dealing with the prevailing situation.

“A national debate should be initiated for counter narratives to the philosophy of terrorism,” Rabbani told The Express Tribune when asked to share the motive behind this initiative.

“We should move out of the state of denial, accept reality and refrain from a cover-up,” said Senator Rabbani, after he had tendered his resignation from the ministry of inter-provincial coordination to President Zardari – for the second time.

The Foreign Office should be asked to launch a massive press offensive in the foreign media and routinely brief diplomats in Islamabad on various steps being taken by the government, he added. “We are now at a crossroads of history, where all roads but one leads to destruction,” Rabbani has written in the letter. Rabbani has asked Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to convene a meeting of directors general Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau, chief ministers, chief secretaries, inspectors general of police and religious leaders to come up with a concerted strategy to deal with internal terrorism.

Intellectuals, writers, poets, columnists, painters, artists, musicians, artisans and folklorists should come forward and take part in constructing a counter-narrative. All cultural, literary, educational institutions will have to play their role to combat terrorism, the letter concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.