How to win the war of ideas

For decades, Pakistan has been grappling with the challenge of both violent and non-violent extremism. While military operations have significantly weakened militant networks, the deeper ideological roots that fuel extremism remain unaddressed.

Extremism is not just about armed groups carrying out attacks; it begins with the spread of radical ideologies that manipulate public sentiment and create an environment conducive to violence. Until these ideological foundations are dismantled, the cycle of extremism will continue.

The statistics are alarming — last year alone, 2,526 people lost their lives due to violent extremist attacks. How long must Pakistan bear this burden? To break this cycle, Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) has introduced the National Prevention of Violent Extremism (NPVE) Policy — an initiative designed to counter extremism at its roots, before it escalates into acts of terror.

This policy has sparked debate among analysts and policymakers. Some argue that military action is sufficient, questioning the need for such a policy. But the real question is: Why should Pakistan remain solely dependent on reactive military operations when proactive measures can prevent the problem from arising in the first place? Why is there such hesitation in addressing the root causes of violent and non-violent extremism?

Pakistan’s previous counterterrorism efforts have largely relied on military interventions. While these operations have successfully dismantled terrorist networks, they have not eliminated the extremist narratives that sustain them. History shows that whenever militant elements are temporarily suppressed, they eventually regroup and resurface, forcing Pakistan into yet another costly military engagement.

These repeated cycles come at an immense cost — not just in terms of finances but also in terms of human lives, time and energy. Soldiers continue to make the ultimate sacrifice, while civilians live under constant threat. The NPVE policy aims to disrupt this cycle by preventing extremist ideologies from taking root in society, eliminating the need for repeated military interventions.

The policy follows a structured, five-step approach: Revisit, Reach Out, Reduce, Reinforce and Reintegrate. The first step, ‘Revisit’, seeks to counter non-violent extremist narratives by reforming the curriculum to promote a nationalist and unified vision. ‘Reach Out’ aims to spread Pakistan’s message of inclusivity and patriotism across all societal levels. ‘Reduce’ introduces initiatives that serve both the state and its people, cutting off avenues that extremists exploit for recruitment.

‘Reinforce’ focuses on developing and implementing peace-oriented strategies to counter extremist ideologies. Finally, ‘Reintegrate’ supports rehabilitation and reconciliation programmes for individuals and communities affected by extremism. This structured process ensures that Pakistan addresses extremism at its ideological roots rather than merely reacting to its violent manifestations.

Many nations have successfully implemented similar policies, yet objections are raised only when Pakistan takes such steps. This double standard is evident when examining global counter-extremism strategies. The UK has its CONTEST Strategy, which focuses on preventing radicalisation before it leads to violence. The US has Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Strategy, while the European Union operates the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN).

Australia’s Living Safe Together and Canada’s National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence all function on the same principle: addressing extremism at its roots before it manifests as violence. These countries prioritise long-term security and development over continuous cycles of reactive military operations, making them more stable and prosperous. If Pakistan follows a similar approach, it too can achieve lasting peace and security.

The 5-R approach does not impose abrupt changes but introduces a gradual process to safeguard all societal levels from extremism. No segment of the population will feel alienated; instead, the policy is designed to engage all citizens in the national interest. Over the past few years, Pakistan has witnessed a decline in national cohesion, with growing polarisation and distrust. This policy aims to revive a collective national identity, uniting the people around shared values and aspirations.

Importantly, the NPVE policy is not an instrument of oppression, nor is it aimed at suppressing any group. Its sole purpose is to tackle extremism at its ideological source before it escalates into violence. Any rational analyst would agree that countering extremism at the roots is far more effective than dealing with its consequences. Take the analogy of a disease: if an illness emerges, the logical approach is to address its cause rather than repeatedly treating symptoms until the body either adapts to it or succumbs. Extremism functions in the same way — it spreads when ignored and must be confronted before it becomes normalised.

Some critics dismiss the NPVE policy as an extension of the National Action Plan (NAP), arguing that it is redundant. This claim is misleading. When NAP was introduced, Pakistan was experiencing one of its deadliest periods, with thousands of lives lost each year to terrorism. NAP played a pivotal role in reducing violence and restoring stability. Monthly terrorist attacks that once claimed countless lives were eventually minimised. Can this be considered a failure? Absolutely not.

While NAP focused on military and legal countermeasures, NPVE goes a step further by addressing the ideological and social factors that sustain extremism. Instead of repeating past mistakes, this policy presents an opportunity to refine Pakistan’s counter-extremism strategy and secure lasting peace.

Now, imagine a scenario where NPVE is successfully implemented. The economic and social benefits would be immense. A more peaceful Pakistan would attract investment, tourism and development opportunities. The country’s global image would improve, restoring the respect and dignity that Pakistan has lost over the past few decades. Stability would allow Pakistan to focus on economic growth and technological advancements instead of being trapped in a cycle of security crises.

Rejecting forward-thinking policies has long been a mistake in Pakistan’s history. If the goal is to secure Pakistan’s future, then supporting the NPVE policy should be a national priority. Rather than doubting its potential from the outset, Pakistanis must believe in its success and contribute to its implementation. Only through a proactive, preventive approach can Pakistan break free from the grip of extremism and build a safer, stronger and more prosperous nation.