Maulana’s message

Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s recent remarks at Darul Uloom Haqqania, where he unequivocally condemned religious militancy, mark a rare moment of clarity from a political and religious leader. He pulled no punches in declaring that the indiscriminate killing of Muslims is not jihad but sheer terrorism, a stance that few in Pakistan’s political and clerical circles have dared to adopt. While his bold words may influence young seminary students, they are unlikely to sway hardened militants who have been entrenched in extremist ideologies for decades. The challenge runs deep, as Pakistan has long grappled with the unintended consequences of its past policies—once nurturing jihadist groups, only to later find itself battling the very forces it helped cultivate. The reality remains that past efforts like the Paigham-i-Pakistan fatwa and General Musharraf’s ‘enlightened moderation’ initiative have had limited success in countering extremist narratives, primarily because radical groups reject state-endorsed religious arguments outright.

The road to a peaceful Pakistan requires more than just sermons and fatwas. While religious leaders must present a united front against militancy, tangible action is needed—both in the form of kinetic operations and robust deradicalization programs. The unchecked proliferation of unregulated seminaries, many of which serve as breeding grounds for extremist thought, only fuels the crisis. Without a firm and consistent strategy involving state intervention, educational reforms, and economic opportunities to counter radicalization, mere rhetoric will do little to dismantle the infrastructure of militancy. The state and ulema must walk the talk, ensuring that efforts to curb extremism extend beyond lip service to meaningful, long-term change.

Overview:

The article highlights the complexities of tackling religious militancy in Pakistan, focusing on Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s strong condemnation of terrorist violence. It highlights the state’s historical role in fostering extremism, the resistance of militant groups to state narratives, and the need for holistic counter-extremism strategies beyond mere religious rhetoric.

NOTES:

 The article emphasizes the consequences of past jihadist policies, the role of influential clerics in shaping narratives, and the limitations of religious decrees in combatting extremism. For candidates, this provides observations into Pakistan’s security challenges, counterterrorism strategies, and the socio-political implications of extremism on national stability.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• Pakistan Affairs: Religious extremism and counterterrorism measures in Pakistan
• Current Affairs: The role of religious narratives in shaping public opinion on terrorism
• International Relations: Impact of religious militancy on Pakistan’s global standing
• Security Studies: Strategies for countering violent extremism

Notes for Beginners:

The article discusses how Pakistan is struggling with terrorism linked to religious extremism. Many of these militant groups emerged due to past state policies that encouraged jihadist movements. Now, these groups refuse to disband, even when religious scholars try to convince them. For example, Pakistan supported fighters in Afghanistan during the Cold War, but many of these fighters later became extremists who turned against the state. The government and religious leaders need to work together, not just with speeches but by taking strong actions like reforming religious schools and improving security forces.

Facts and Figures:

• Over 70,000 Pakistanis have died due to terrorism in the past two decades.
• Pakistan ranked 2nd in the Global Terrorism Index (2024) due to rising militant attacks.
• More than 35,000 unregulated seminaries exist in Pakistan, many lacking oversight.
• The Paigham-i-Pakistan fatwa (2018) was signed by 1,800 clerics but had little impact.

To wrap up, While Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s stance against terrorism is commendable, words alone won’t uproot extremism. The state’s past policies continue to haunt it, and only a multi-pronged approach—combining security operations, educational reforms, and socio-economic development—can dismantle the militant ideology. The road ahead is arduous, but decisive action is the only way forward for a peaceful Pakistan.

Difficult Words and Meanings:

1. Militancy – Aggressive support for a cause, often involving violence (Syn: extremism, insurgency | Ant: pacifism, moderation)
2. Checkmate – To thwart or counter effectively (Syn: outmaneuver, foil | Ant: enable, support)
3. Zealous – Showing intense enthusiasm (Syn: fervent, passionate | Ant: indifferent, apathetic)
4. Lethality – The capacity to cause death or destruction (Syn: deadliness, fatality | Ant: harmlessness, safety)
5. Takfiri – A term for extremists who declare other Muslims as apostates (Syn: radical, extremist | Ant: moderate, tolerant)
6. Deradicalization – The process of persuading extremists to abandon their beliefs (Syn: rehabilitation, reformation | Ant: indoctrination, radicalization)