Peshawar: Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, paid a detailed visit to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Peshawar. He was received by Additional Inspector General of CTD, Mr. Shaukat Abbas, who briefed him on the department’s upgraded capabilities, new technologies, and evolving counter-terrorism strategies.
During the visit, Barrister Dr. Saif visited multiple critical units, some of them newly established, including the Forensic Lab, Data Mining Section, Ballistics Unit, Digital Examination Unit, Data Collection Centre, Crime Scene Unit, Investigation Wing, and Interrogation Section. He commended the CTD for its modernization efforts and emphasized the importance of institutional capacity building in maintaining long term internal security.
While addressing CTD officials, Barrister Dr. Saif elaborated on the evolving nature of terrorism, stressing that the kinetic approach i.e., use of force and armed operations, though necessary, is not sufficient to eliminate the roots of extremism and insurgency. “Kinetic action may give us short term tactical gains, but it is not a sustainable solution. Terrorism is not just an act of violence, it is an ideologically motivated activity that often stems from deeply rooted social, psychological, and political grievances,” he said.
Citing global examples, he pointed out that purely force-based responses have rarely succeeded in permanently eradicating terrorism. “Sri Lanka is perhaps the only example where terrorism was militarily neutralized, but even there it was accompanied by targeted development reforms and political containment of ethnic grievances,” he noted.
Barrister Dr. Saif argued that radicalization, the ideological process by which individuals are drawn into extremism, is the real challenge. “We must understand that de-radicalization is possible, but there is no such thing as ‘de-terrorism’ as a standalone action. Unless we address the factors that lead people to radicalize, extremist narratives will continue to regenerate,” he said.
He emphasized the need to move from a reactionary to a proactive and holistic approach by integrating counter radicalization programs, community engagement, education reforms, and negotiation where possible. “We must engage, not appease, but meaningfully engage those elements that are still redeemable. The idea is not to compromise on principles, but to isolate the hardcore elements by winning over the rank and file who may have been misled or coerced,” he stated.
Additional IG Shaukat Abbas informed the Advisor that the CTD is actively shifting its strategic posture from traditional ‘warfare’ to ‘lawfare’, focusing on the application of legal frameworks, evidence based investigations, and judicial prosecutions as a means to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. He added that steps are underway to further modernize the department, including the hiring of qualified detectives, appointment of research officers, and procurement of advanced technical equipment.
Barrister Dr. Saif appreciated these reforms and assured the provincial government’s full support in strengthening CTD’s institutional capacity. “Only through a long-term, integrated, and insight-driven strategy can we hope to defeat the roots of violent extremism,” he concluded.
At the end of the visit, Mr. Shaukat Abbas presented a commemorative gift to Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif as a token of appreciation.