Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, addressed a crucial one-day seminar titled “Countering Terrorism in Pakistan: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward” at a local university in Islamabad. In his speech, he detailed the significant strides Pakistan has made in combating terrorism, which has claimed over 80,000 lives and cost the nation approximately $150 billion in the past two decades. He highlighted the success of military operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, and the role of the National Action Plan in reducing terror attacks by 30% over the past five years. Iqbal also expressed concerns about the new challenges of digital misinformation and the spread of extremism through social media.

According to Press Information Department, Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of a balanced approach that combines military actions with non-kinetic measures to combat terrorism. He reflected on the sacrifices and resilience shown by the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians in the face of terrorism. The military operations have been effective in dismantling key terrorist networks and restoring state control over 90% of the tribal regions, with over 7,000 terrorists killed during these operations.

The National Action Plan, adopted in 2015, was highlighted as a comprehensive framework tackling various aspects of terrorism, including hate speech, intelligence coordination, and financing. The removal of Pakistan from the FATF’s grey list in 2022 was noted as a significant international acknowledgment of Pakistan’s efforts in controlling terror financing.

Iqbal also tackled the issue of cyber-radicalization and the misuse of social media for extremist recruitment, noting that 80% of terrorist organizations now utilize digital platforms. He stressed the need for cybersecurity investments and enhancing digital literacy to combat these threats.

Reflecting on the socio-economic dimensions of terrorism, the minister pointed out the crucial role of the National Internal Security Policy in addressing the root causes of extremism, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education. He called for continued investment in development programs, particularly in marginalized regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, to prevent youth radicalization.

In his concluding remarks, Iqbal reiterated that the fight against terrorism is not only a security challenge but also a battle for the hearts and minds of the people. He emphasized the importance of national unity, determination, and a holistic approach that includes strengthening institutions, engaging communities, and investing in people to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for Pakistan.