[DAWN] PAKISTAN can by no means leave the task of countering terrorism unaccomplished. For that, it will have to adopt a policy mechanism to control all shades of bad boy groups. In retrospect, Pakistain has already taken some measures that have put pressure on murderous Moslems and their supporters. This pressure should remain sustained and be expanded across the board, reflecting the state’s resolve that no bad boy group will be allowed to operate here.First, murderous Moslems should not be allowed to hide behind the state’s religious-nationalist paradigm.
Secondly, these groups should not have any space in the political or strategic calculus of the state. As far as denying physical space to bad boy groups is concerned, implementing the National Action Plan and the National Internal Security Policy would do the trick. At times, changing the behaviour of some sectarian or bad boy groups can confuse the state’s response, especially when these groups offer complete disengagement from violence in return for entry into mainstream politics. But the leaderships of such groups cannot guarantee holding back their vulnerable mid- and low-rank cadres from committing acts of terrorism, or joining some other violent groups.