With the military operation in North Waziristan, the government has vowed to “break the terrorists’ back”. But many fear that this action, like others before it, will only be a short-term solution. Dawn asked defence analysts and those familiar with the running of the country for their take on how to ensure a lasting solution to the problem of terrorism and militancy that plagues Pakistan.

On NACTA - Tasneem Noorani; former interior secretary

“We have been hearing that the National Counter Terrorism Authority Pakistan (NACTA), chaired by the prime minister, has been established but according to my information it is only being discussed in the press.

I have not heard about the meetings of NACTA and no one is aware of the administrative head of the authority. So I doubt if it is functional or not.

If the government is willing to make the authority functional and get maximum output from it, an administrative head, who earns respect in the field of security, should be appointed.

Moreover, people having experience in the field of counterterrorism should be brought to NACTA.

I don’t see any role of NACTA in the current operation but the authority should have been strengthened to develop action plans against terrorism and to deal with the future issues.”

Situation in other parts of Punjab - Retired Maj-Gen Athar Abbas; former DG ISPR

“There is a need to have an operation and activity in the mainland too alongside the military operation in Fata. The TTP knows that it cannot face the army head-on in that area. They will melt away and reorganise in cities and towns making the population and the installations, both civilian and military, vulnerable. The Army is effective in protecting itself during the operation but the threats are from surprises in the settled areas where the mechanism is already too weak. If there are terror acts in the cities and around sensitive installations, there will be enormous pressure on the government to reconsider the operation.”

On anti-terror legislation - Prof Hasan Askari-Rizvi; military analyst

“There is a lack of consensus amongst political forces on the anti-terror legislation, and how to ensure that anti-terror laws are not misused as they have been in the past. The Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) has become redundant. We do not know if it is effective because we have no information how many cases may have been filed under it.

You need legislation in order to deal with terrorism. Countries around the world have legislated on terrorism. In addition, the prosecution procedures need to be strengthened - but how do we do that?

About the operation, the threat of backlash cannot be ruled out as terrorists have support in cities. The army cannot be used in urban areas the way it is in Waziristan. The way to deal with terrorism in cities is by strengthening the police.”

On Karachi - Ikram Sehgal: defence analyst

“I believe the statements that a large portion of Karachi is under the control of the Taliban are mere an exaggeration. However, they (Taliban) are present in a great strength in the city, and have found sanctuaries there.

An emergency needs to be declared in Karachi where the government should give a free hand to the Rangers and the police to tackle the terrorists.

The need of the hour is to launch an offensive rather than sit on the defensive line and waiting for the Taliban to attack us. The sanctuaries of the terrorists and their safe havens should be demolished.

There are many Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) activists in southern Punjab who sympathise with the Taliban and provide them asylum. The same people formulate a large segment of the vote bank for the PML-N.”