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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday made a subtle distinction between terrorism and extremism, saying the military could only defeat terrorists but extremism is something civil society is better equipped to deal with.
He was speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, titled "Role of Youth in Rejecting Extremism", attended by students, army personnel as well as dignitaries from the world of academia.
Gen Bajwa said extremism is the foremost factor driving terrorism, adding that though the former is a term "relative to our perception of what is normal," it has a lot to do with the environment in which people live.
"From that perspective," he added, "We must admit that Pakistani youth is being exploited due to the poor governance [of the country] and lack of justice in society."
Citing the demographics of the country, he said 50 per cent of the Pakistani population is projected to be less than 25 years of age, adding that the future of this country "literally lies" in whatever direction the youth takes.
"The most important stimulus driving a young adult is to find purpose and meaning in life. It is during this stage that one is ready to commit: to professions, to relationships, to causes and to ideologies," the COAS said.
"It is a wonderful stage in life, but it is also the most vulnerable."
Therefore, he said, it is crucial that the youth not only receive education but also develop a "balanced" personality, and become "productive citizens and future leaders".
"Our homes, educational institutions and media houses are first in the line of defence against extremism in the society," Gen Bajwa said.
The army chief said both "state and non-state" elements are "waging the biggest and most sustained hybrid war against Pakistan", trying to connect to the country's disillusioned youth via smartphone technology and the internet.
Differentiating between religiosity and terrorism, he pointed out: "These so-called Muslims [who sponsor terrorist activities] have nothing to do with Islam."
"If you ever ask them why they are laying Muslim lands to waste, they will tell you that they are only doing it for reform," Gen Bajwa said.
"They have realised they cannot achieve power through the ballot but through violence ... Therefore, coercion, fear and destruction are their tools of choice."
"The ultimate objective of any religion is to teach you how to live a good life, not how to die a destructive death," the Army chief said.
"Islam expects you to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. That is all as far as your social responsibility is concerned," he added.
"You cannot impose your views on anyone," Gen Bajwa told the audience.
"There is no compulsion in religion."
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Comments (26) Closed
Very good thoughts. Better than any of our so called political and religious leaders.
Thank you Gen Bajwa. You have explained the root of the problem in very simple terms. But on the other side, the government in power is focused towards making money for themselves only and they either do not have the comprehension to solve the problem or ignores the problem for what ever selfish reasons they have.
Unless a National Action Plan is initiated and monitored assiduously by the Government of the day we will never see any progress towards eliminating Extremism.
What about financial hitmen and terrorist who are ruining this country fabrics from within?
Hats off to you Sir. I am former Indian Army and what you say is the only truth. Youth energy needs to be channelised towards constructive engagements with self, society and the world. There is no place for violence.
Good distinction and parallel combination explained by GEN. Only mullahs and clerics can stop extremism. Civilian government has to ensure and enforce rules about giving Friday services and madrassas teachings.
Very sensible views.
Justice in the society is the key to controlling all sorts of terrorism and extremism. In Pakistan, we have laws for the poor not for the corrupt rich sitting in the upper house. I will ask the powerful people in Pakistan to look into this aspect.
Problem is justice in Pakistan. If you start justice today, 90% problems go.
People get law in their hands when they do not get justice, when they do once to get revenge then they do crimes all their life. Then other people and countries use them
You cannot solve this problem by putting police and army everywhere, GIVE PEOPLE JUSTICE , YOU WILL SEE DIFFERENCE in ONE MONTH.
IF you keep doing this by force without justice, it might go down few months but it will increase day by day
And one day in our country will be civil WAR.
So act now, Give justice. Everybody should be same front of law.
In Pakistan no law for politician, police, army, bureaucratic
Good statements, hope action will follow.
Army is not part of the society? Will Army not take responsibility for 33 year military rule during which many 'extremists' were allowed to mainstream?
Well delivered policy speech. The basics for Pakistan to moved forward is to recognize problem(s). If you know problem, you will find way to resolve all problems, small and big and few huge ones. No matter how much investement you attract (CPEC etc), if Pakistan will not resolve fundamental issues, Pak is not going to realize true benefits. Once you control terrorism, uphill task starts to train your youth in modern job skills. Big industries are thing of past, modern competitive economies require skill manpower to maximize wealth with least capital (Google vs huge steel plants - Low capital with huge wealth gains vs high capital with low returns). Democracy is only way forward for Pakistan compared to Military dictatorships, no matter how corrupt civilian governments may be, steadily people will be educated and will elect people who are more honest and will work for betterment of masses. This is painfully slow process but only way to progress.
What would you do when society itself becomes extremist..From the beginning men used God to justify the unjustifiable.Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about you. In the first place, if they had better things going on in their lives, they wouldn't have the time to sit around and talk about you. What's important to me is not others' opinions of me, but what's important to me is my opinion of myself.The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.
Excellent commentary by the General...he knows where the real problem lies...
Poor 'governance' and 'lack of justice'. Spot on. Who will bell these cats with these two all inclusive bells to keep everybody alert from silent and sneaky onslaughts of evils eating this nation from inside of her economic and moral souls.
@Riz ...You are so right. Justice is key and terribly lacking or delayed in developing nations.
@Khanm 'what is important to me'. This me, my family, my friend, etc., has destroyed the spirit of ' our, us, we. Isn't it so? Iqbal had said: pevasta reh shajar se ummid-bahar rakhh, stay attached to the tree branch and hope for the spring. Here the tree is being cut from its roots. Is there any hope for any spring?
Extemism deep rooted the way people are raised. Mulans dictate how to walk what to eat what to drink what to say how to behave what to wear what to teach what to work how to work and so on. They are part of the society. How society can fix extremism. Difficult but achievable.
The biggest problem is that the public of Pakistan knows where this terrorism and extremism come from, where are the roots of this evil and how to eradicate it. But those who are supposed to root it out are just eliminating its effects not its causes.
Terrorism and extremism both took roots during military rule in the past.
Why did the military rulers not did something to improve governance and delivery of justice during their decades long rule in the country?
Injustice in society is the biggest problem.
Its finally come down to good governance and programs by ruling party and we have none , go figure .
A sane voice.
The General is so right.
@Saaf go Respect to you for speaking out the truth. Hope you stay safe!
Brilliant speech! To the point! Hatts off!
Absolutely Agree with you General..