Decline in sectarian terrorism

The report shows that there has been a significant decline in incidents of sectarian terrorism, with sectarian attacks falling from a peak of 185 in 2012 to two attacks in 2017.

Renewed focus on NAP?

The military appears to have a renewed focus on NAP since the launch of Operation Raddul Fasaad across the country following a spate of terror attacks earlier this year.

Raddul Fasaad — which translates roughly to 'elimination of discord' — is aimed towards indiscriminately eliminating the "residual/latent threat of terrorism", consolidating the gains made in other military operations, and further ensuring the security of Pakistan's borders, the Inter-Services Public Relations had said as it announced the operation.

The military operation is intended to be a continuation of NAP, which was widely criticised for its apparently half-hearted implementation.

NAP had been formulated after the devastating attack on Army Public School Peshawar in December 2014.

As part of the plan, military courts were established to fast-track terrorism cases. Intelligence-based operations across the country were initiated to disrupt and destroy terror networks in urban and rural areas. The plan had also laid an emphasis on curtailing terror financing.

NAP had also promised to take action against seminaries involved in militancy, but the government had dithered on bringing them under control, apparently fearing a backlash from religious parties as well as militants.

The plan further envisaged countering hate speech and extremist material through the powers vested in the provincial police and other authorities. Pemra and other regulatory authorities were tasked with checking and banning glorification of terrorism and militant groups through print and electronic media. The drafting of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct was also a positive step.

The provinces were further instructed under NAP to raise a counter-terrorism force under a dedicated command structure.