DefinePK

Abstract

Pakistan’s Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) efforts combine policy options and deradicalization programmes. However, these efforts have not efficiently utilized the potential of indigenously derived national narratives in combating terrorism and extremism. Pakistani officials introduced the Paigham-e-Pakistan (Message of Pakistan—a collective fatwā issued by more than 1800 religious scholars to provide a rebuttal to the extremist ideologies. However, the prime focus of this document remained limited to declaring any ruling on takfīr and jihād as prohibited while neglecting the pivotal concept of khurūj, which plays a central role in extremism and radicalization within Pakistan. Instead of simply endorsing or rejecting terrorists’ interpretations of vital religious concepts, it is imperative for the state, along with other deradicalization efforts, to present an alternative narrative rooted in religion to tackle the threats of extremism and radicalization within Pakistani society. This analytical study attempts to evaluate the gaps in the CVE models of Pakistan and elucidates how the Islamic concept of wassaṭiyyah (moderation) can serve as the basis for an alternative narrative against extremism and radicalization in the country.