‘Only dynamic mapping can counter radicalization’

Counter-radicalization experts based in Europe who have earned recognition for their success in mapping and methodology to prevent the escalation of radicalization and extremism, have offered their services to Pakistan to counter the negative conspiracies being hatched against Pakistan in many ways including the FATF overtures in which they smell a rat, given the nexuses among certain global players aimed at destabilizing Pakistan.

These views were expressed by Tahir Mahmood, Research Scientist and Member, Advisory Board, UK’s Institute of Theology on Counter-Terrorism and Advisory Scientist at European Justice-Commission-funded ‘Risk Track’, while talking telephonically to The News.

The scientist was asked to comment on Pakistani government’s recent actions aimed at accomplishing FATF objectives, including actions vis-a-vis banned organizations.

The scientist said, “National Action Plan (NAP) is an excellent plan but it requires elaboration in the form of Quality Policy and Operationalisation. Most Pakistani governments have moved step by step on this plan, based on experience but it can be a ‘quick fix’, if

knowledge- based methods are used, starting with mapping. The present government has, however, done a good job by publishing the list of banned organisations and by taking control of these organisations’

assets, bank accounts or any charity activity setup. Equal focus is on a developing policy to rehabilitate. All these measures have been taken in the right direction, according to UN procedures in order to achieve the objectives of 10-point action plan of FATF. If FATF still claims that certain points are missing, then FATF needs to clearly declare the method for raising any objection or point of concern”.

How should each point of action of NAP be operationalised, the expert was asked. He replied, “Each point of action requires knowledge-based operational plan, after mapping the variables of addressed and mapped concerns and simultaneously developing policy contents to support the action plan’s full implementation with operational value. It was without this mapping that the process of implementation has been slower although plenty of operations were launched although Pakistan’s law-enforcement and security institutions’ success proves their excellent performance which reduced the terror attacks drastically”.

Talking further about Pakistan’s initiatives and efforts in counter- terrorism, Mahmood said, “It’s important to understand firstly the variables of terrorism which existed since Afghan war while Pakistan was an ally of the West against Soviet Union, like, for instance, millions of refugees, emergence of different fighter groups, insecure borders with Afghanistan, constant instability in Afghanistan, post 9/11 multi-variables and so on. Now, to counter over 300 dynamic variables which drive terrorism, no country has a magic stick to counter them overnight, that’s why Pakistan suffered the most in the form of loss of 70,000 plus loved ones as well as economic loss of billions of US Dollars. I used the term ‘dynamic complex variables’ as drivers of terrorism, which are most difficult to control because of dynamic strength. These variables change their shape without losing their driving strength and are highly tactical. Unfortunately, Pakistan was the front-line victim of these variables for years and, majority of the political parties of Pakistan didn’t have the ability to formulate a clear policy.

Regarding the words used by Government representatives like the ‘mainstreaming of extremists’ and then picked by many politicians to criticise the government, it should not be worrisome for any one, because unfortunately the Government spokesman is not an expert in this field, as well because of which reason he has not been able to choose the right terminology for the present Pakistani government’s ‘Stick and Carrot’ policy and actions. This policy is used by many countries in the West as the right of choice to prosecute to de-radicalize or rehabilitate extremists or radicalised persons or groups”.

What do you think about Indian war mania as a process, the scientist was asked. He replied, “It’s unfortunate to say that Prime Minister Modi is running a process of self-interests to win the election based on creating hate among the multicultural and multi-religious society, thus dividing the society. This will have negative side effects in the months to come, giving birth to radicalisation, violence and extremism that have increased all over India during Modi Government and will increase further. Also, as expressed by Indian experts and politicians in media, India has lost its military, diplomatic and moral strength in last four weeks”.

Answering a question as to what additional measures were required to counter extremism and terrorism, Tahir Mehmood responded, “In my assessment, it’s important for government experts to understand that extremism and terrorism are output of a complex unwanted Dynamic process called ‘radicalisation to violence’ and therefore, in order to reverse, retard and stop both extremism and terrorism it is vital to counter radicalisation and violence as a process on top priority. It’s also important to note that the government must not develop its counter radicalisation plan only on the basis of mere experience or observation or on a copy-paste basis. Instead, it must be knowledge-based, scientific and systematic for true operational value as quick fix”.