Terrorism in Pakistan - Essay Outline
- Definition
- Causes of terrorism in Pakistan
- Loss of lives
- Victims of terrorism
- Soviet-Afghan war
- The sectarian violence
- Conclusion
Terrorism
Terrorism is the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear.
Terrorism in Pakistan has become a major and highly destructive problem during the last some decades. One of the main causes of terrorism in Pakistan is sectarian! Religious violence. Other causes, such as political rivalry and business disputes, also took their toll.
Terrorist attacks staged in Pakistan have killed over 35,000 people,
5,000 of which are law enforcement personnel, causing material damage of $67 billion to the economy.
Victims of Terrorism
The victims include worshippers, journalists, religious scholars, foreigners, policemen, Chinese engineers and workers, students, diplomats, female teachers, army soldiers, ministers, political workers, tribal chiefs. Paramilitary troops, security forces, army convoys, security personnel, foreign cricketers, aid workers, and civilians.
Jihad is not Terrorism
Terrorism in Pakistan began primarily with the Soviet-Afghan War that
Continued for a decade. The conflict brought numerous fighters from all over the world to South Asia in the name of jihad.
The sectarian violence presently plaguing the country is also said to originate in the controversial Islamist policies of General Muhammad Ziaul-Haq initiated during his tenure as president from 1977 to 1988. These gave immense power to religious figures that in turn spread intolerant religious dogma among the masses, against non-Muslim countries in general and non-Muslims in particular.