PESHAWAR: Need to address root-causes of terrorism stressed
By Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR, Dec 23: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has underlined the need to look at the underlying factors and root-causes of terrorism, saying there is no place of terrorism in Islam.
"We should have a broaden outlook and in-depth understanding in examining the exact causes of this global phenomenon which has tarnished the image of universal appeal of the divine religion of Islam and peace-loving Muslim societies," he added.
The governor was speaking at a one-day seminar on 'Phenomenon of Terrorism: implications for Pakistan and the Muslim world' which was organized on Thursday by the Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with the media cell of the Governor's Secretariat, Fata.
The governor said that the government was following the strategy of enlightened moderation not only in words but also in deeds with a firm commitment. The government's practical and pragmatic measures to crush terrorism and extremism and its firm resolve to flush out perpetrators of terrorism irrespective of their origin or nationality were quite clear, he added.
Mr Shah said the government was consistent in its approach and actions not to allow the country's soil to be used by a handful of misguided people whether local and aliens for carrying out acts of subversion.
Most of the terrorists had either been killed or arrested while their hideouts, training facilities, logistics and support planks had been uprooted, he said. The governor said the government had brought peace and tranquillity to Waziristan. "We may have won a battle, but our war against terrorism is not yet over," he said, adding that the government was committed to eliminating remnants of militants.
He said that militancy and savagery unleashed by a handful of extremists had tarnished the image of Islam. Pakistan was also faced with the danger of sectarian terrorism which was a serious challenge to the government and the civil society.
"Sectarian violence can be properly contained and controlled through education, which promotes tolerance, patience and understanding to listen to other points of views."
Dr Qibla Ayaz, Dean, Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Studies, in his speech discussed various aspects of terrorism said that this phenomenon had been associated with Islam because the term 'jihad' had not only been misinterpreted but also misused.
