Press Release
Book Launch
“Pakistan’s Response towards Terrorism – A Case Study of Musharraf Regime”
Authored by Dr. Shabana Fayyaz
July 27, 2021
India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a book launch event titled, “Pakistan’s Response towards Terrorism – A Case Study of Musharraf Regime” authored by Dr. Shabana Fayyaz on July 27, 2021. Various distinguished national and international experts attended the book launch in person and virtually.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI, congratulated Dr. Shabana by giving her due credit for producing a worthy literature and said that her book is a good addition to the literature. While giving the reference of the book DG ISSI said that concept of traditional security has not transmitted into citizen security and there should be equal focus on state as well as on human security. However, there is emerging consensus in Pakistan on human security and Islamabad Security Dialogue is the tangible testimony of that, he added.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, Dr. Saif Malik, Director, India Study Centre, ISSI, maintained that the book is a valuable contribution in the existing body of knowledge on the subject matter. To him the most fascinating aspects of the book are the couple of fundamental questions raised by the author which could pave the way for further research especially rotating around the notion of the security doctrine. Also the unique aspect of the book is sources of information and the data collection from the primary sources/ stakeholders and the field trips conducted during her research.
Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, the author of the book and the Chairperson Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, thanked ISSI for launching her book. In her remarks she said that terrorism is a very deep topic, the topic she opted for the book isbased on her research on doctoral level. While writing a book, she had interviewed more than 100 people including Pakistani former President General Pervez Musharraf and Pakistani former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. She further said that unless we invest in the fabric of the people, we cannot get desired objectives.
Mr. Ihsan Ghani, Former National Coordinator, NACTA in his video message said that in order to legitimize his role General Pervez Musharraf supported ultraconservative groups in Pakistan. Mr. Ghani further said that Musharraf remained unsuccessful in formulation of national security policy.
Dr. Syed Rifaat Hussain, Head of Department of Government and Public Policy at NUST Islamabad congratulated Dr. Shabana by giving her due credit for producing a worthy literature for the academic community and turning her PhD dissertation into a book. Dr. Hussain said that it is the first book with detailed study of the Musharraf regime’s response to the events of 9/11. Dr. Hussain endorsed Dr. Shaban’s prognosis that “Pakistan’s problem of terrorism will not end with the U.S. departure from Afghanistan. Non-state infrastructure of violence existed in Pakistan, prior to 9/11, as a consequence of Pakistan’s traditional national security policy. Pakistan’s changed foreign policy in response to 9/11 only pitted part of this infrastructure against the Pakistani state and triggered incidents of violence and terrorism across Pakistan. Thus, even if the U.S. war in Afghanistan comes to an end, Pakistan’s interface with terrorism will continue till such time that the state’s policies and priorities converge on eradicating the root causes domestically.”
Dr. Yang Da, Professor of International Politics, Ghuizhou University, Guiyang, China in his video message admired the author for her excellent work. Dr. Da said that he was very impressed by the scholastic work as the book also sheds light on human history. Research methodology of the book is empirical and qualitative. The book also gives a theoretical framework for understanding of the topic, he added.
Mr. Muhammad Ali Babakhel, Director General Research, NACTA, was impressed with work of the writer in her book in which she conducted 124 interviews that speaks the value of the book. Mr.Babakhel said that the writer has raised very pertinent questions about the terrorism. It is very difficult to find proper definition of the terrorism. He further said that in order to prolong his legitimacy Pervez Musharraf started countering terrorism with an aim of getting international support. He also confessed the idea of the writer that there should be a strong relationship between the state and citizens. The writer should be appreciated for highlighting very sensitive topic in a very candid way, he added.
Chief Guest -Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman, Senate Defence Committee expressed that it is very fascinating to see that a very important part of the history has been written by Pakistani writer. As a matter of fact, such books are mostly are written by the foreign writers. Dr. Shabana Fayyaz needs to be admired for her valuable work in which she produced very empirical work. In his speech Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed also gave the reference of the book titled “Bush at War” written by Bob Woodward. In this book the writer articulated that soon after 9/11 on September 14, 2001, the US policymakers perceived the emerging threats to the US such as global terrorism, nuclear proliferation and rising China. The Senator added that terrorism is an indigenous problem of Pakistan and its root causes are internal. While, internal weaknesses are exploited by the external actors. He further reiterated that though we established National Counter Terrorism Authority NACTA, we have not empowered NACTA as yet. And Security has to be refined, he added.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI in his concluding remarks said there are many lessons we need to learn from the book. There is a linkage between internal and external security. The emerging challenges of no-state actors require deep analysis. New thinking has to be developed how to counter the new developments in security domain. We have to adapt the realistic approach, he added.
