Hasan Abdullah

My views on operation Zarb-e-Azb

The operation looks on course as far as regaining the territory of North Waziristan is concerned. It would serve [as] a significant symbolic as well as psychological blow to many jihadis who had developed a deep affinity with this area.

However in the long run, there are quite a few challenges. First, as a state, we still lack a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy. There is no clarity of thought over Islamist militancy within the general public at large and much of the ruling class.

Even most of our policy-makers have fallen for the very propaganda narratives they once created to delegitimise the enemy. As a result of this, many of the policy-makers continue to consider some militants as allies and strategic assets when in fact those militants are hand-in-glove with Al Qaeda.

There are way too many contradictions in the Pakistani narrative on jihadi groups. My research into militancy shows that this flawed narrative serves as the quickest and most convenient approach to draw many Islamists into the fold of militant Islamism.

We need to realise that the formulation of a successful counter-terrorism strategy would require some serious introspection and analysis of our worldview and strategic focus.

Published: Dawn, 28th July 2014

http://www.dawn.com/news/1121758/talking-heads-hasan-abdullah

Still fighting the last war

By Hasan Abdullah

The script is so predictable it has lost the climax. Militants attack a sensitive installation. While destruction and mayhem are still ongoing, there are clumsy statements apparently aimed at damage control. Statements claiming that strategic assets are safe and the attackers have been pushed back. Once that particular saga is over, condemnations follow. Then there are calls from the highest executives at provincial and/or federal levels directing the concerned departments to investigate the incident and present a “report”.

“You get the impression that a chief minister or the prime minister has to instruct the relevant agencies to

Foreign militants seeking ‘safe passage’

By Hasan Abdullah

MIRAMSHAH: As the government team prepares for another meeting with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), many of the foreign militants based in and around North Waziristan feel they are facing an uncertain future and are not only seeking assurances from their hosts but are also weighing options for moving out to others places, like Afghanistan and Syria, to continue their ‘jihad’.

This emerged during a series of interviews conducted by this corespondent with scores of foreign militants, mainly around North Waziristan, on getting exclusive access to various groups and to some of the most wanted fugitives in the country.

TTP frustrated at ‘defiance’ over ceasefire

By Hasan Abdullah

KARACHI: While there are growing demands for a full-scale military operation following the post-ceasefire terrorist attacks, some experts are urging the government to better understand the militant mindset and use that to the state’s advantage.

“Our society is polarised along the superficial ‘only talks’ and ‘only military operation’ lines. What we need to do is understand the thought process of the militants, their differences with each other and use these differences to pit them against each other,” said an official from the security establishment, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sunday, 28 September 2014