Another Look at Tough Methods
Another Look at Tough Methods: After Zohran Mamdani won as mayor of New York, academic Vali Nasr said this marked the end of the Global War on Terror. But for Pakistan — once the main ally in that war — the conflict never ended. It only got worse. Ironically, countries once seen as terrorism hubs — Iraq, Syria, and even Afghanistan — now seem more stable than Pakistan. So, why does Pakistan still live in fear and insecurity?
Blame Without Reflection
Pakistan often blames others for terrorism. It points fingers at Afghanistan, global jihad networks, local militants, and religious extremists. But it rarely examines its own policies. The state made poor decisions to stay relevant in regional politics. It misjudged militant groups and repeated the same policy failures. No government or security institution admitted these mistakes. None took responsibility or reformed the broken system.
The real irony is that the state kept using failed strategies. Instead of changing course, it became defensive and rejected criticism. It silenced voices and institutions that questioned policy or demanded transparency.
Hybrid Governance
Recently, the state claims it wants to end terrorism and extremism once and for all. Its new stance toward Afghanistan and its handling of the TLP in Punjab show this intent. But again, these actions come with no accountability. No one knows who will take the blame if they fail.
In the past, civilian governments carried the blame for the state’s strategic mistakes. But under today’s hybrid setup, civilians cannot take full responsibility. Civilian leaders now fully support the military’s policies on security, politics, and the economy.
Diplomatic Irony
This unity brought some political stability. Yet, it failed to solve Pakistan’s security problems. The recent meetings in Doha and Istanbul revealed this. Pakistan, which once helped the Taliban talk with the US, now needed Turkey and Qatar to help it talk to the Taliban regime.
In these talks, the main issue was the TTP and Gul Bahadur’s group, Ittihadul Mujahideen. Both were close allies of the Taliban against NATO. Gul Bahadur even acted as Pakistan’s proxy during that time. The TTP worked freely in North Waziristan for years until Operation Zarb-i-Azb began. Even then, Pakistan tried to talk to them again.
Backfired Strategy
Pakistan supported the Taliban to bring them to power. It hoped this would protect Pakistan’s western borders. But this policy backfired. It cost Pakistan lives, peace, and unity. The state had no clear plan for what to do after the Taliban took control.
The Haqqani network, once seen as Pakistan’s ally, has now turned against it. This should have shocked the state, but officials stayed silent. No one questioned why the Haqqanis wanted to restore FATA’s old tribal system. That system would let them move freely, rebuild their power, and spread extremism again. The TTP and Gul Bahadur now act as the Haqqanis’ tools.
Hard State Mindset
Adding to the irony, some officials now talk about regime change in Afghanistan. This idea breaks diplomatic rules. Analysts ask: if Pakistan tries that, who would help? Likely the Haqqanis — again. This confusion shows the mindset of a “hard state.” Such a state relies too much on force and often fails to tell friends from enemies. It focuses only on short-term goals, ignoring long-term harm.
One hopes the state’s new policies finally work. Pakistan needs real results and an end to decades of violence. But power must not replace reason. A “hard state” must act with wisdom and build long-term plans.
Strength in Weakness
Author Anatol Lieven, in Pakistan: A Hard Country, says Pakistan is not a failed state. It has weak governance but a strong and resilient society. He argues that firm control can strengthen the state. Yet, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, quoting economist Gunnar Myrdal, says Pakistan now suffers from poor law enforcement and political chaos. As Qazi noted, using force to solve complex problems does not make a state strong — it only shows its weakness.
Published in Dawn, 9th November 2025
