Terrorism has been one of Pakistan’s most persistent challenges in the 21st century, deeply impacting its social, political, and economic fabric. The country has endured waves of violent extremism, sectarian killings, and attacks on security forces, public spaces, and educational institutions. Perhaps the most tragic of these was the December 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, which left more than 140 people dead, most of them children. This massacre shocked the nation into urgent and unified action. The result was the formulation of the National Action Plan (NAP), a twenty-point counterterrorism strategy announced in 2015 to deal with the menace of terrorism comprehensively. The plan combined military operations, institutional reforms, regulatory oversight, and financial controls with a view to rooting out extremism from its ideological, organizational, and material bases.
Follow CPF WhatsApp Channel for Daily Exam Updates
Cssprepforum, led by Sir Syed Kazim Ali, supports 70,000+ monthly aspirants with premium CSS/PMS prep. Follow our WhatsApp Channel for daily CSS/PMS updates, solved past papers, expert articles, and free prep resources.
NAP was designed as a whole-of-government approach to tackle terrorism from multiple angles. It addressed direct militant threats and sought to mitigate the ideological and structural support that allowed terrorist groups to flourish. Key objectives included the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, elimination of hate speech, regulation of madrassas, curbing of terror financing, reforms in the criminal justice system, and enhancement of law enforcement capacity. The Pakistani state, particularly the military and intelligence apparatus, took the lead in operationalizing many of these objectives, though the role of provincial governments and civil institutions remained crucial for sustained success. The implementation of NAP was marked by the launch of robust military campaigns such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, alongside sweeping crackdowns on terror networks and their support systems.
One of the most immediate impacts of NAP was a noticeable reduction in terrorist incidents across the country. Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which had already begun in mid-2014, gained renewed impetus under the NAP framework. It focused on eliminating terrorist sanctuaries in North Waziristan and achieved considerable success in destroying militant strongholds and supply chains. Within the first two years, over 3,500 terrorists were killed, hundreds of hideouts were dismantled, and thousands of intelligence-based operations were conducted nationwide. The subsequent operation Radd-ul-Fasaad aimed to consolidate gains by eliminating residual threats and strengthening internal security mechanisms. As a result, terrorism-related deaths plummeted significantly, from more than 4,500 in 2013 to under 600 by 2020, according to official data. This dramatic decline underscored the tactical success of counterterrorism measures under NAP.
Another major achievement of the NAP framework was the strengthening of law enforcement agencies. The role of the Counter-Terrorism Departments (CTDs) across all provinces was enhanced through better training, advanced equipment, and integration with intelligence agencies. Inter-agency coordination improved, allowing for faster and more targeted responses. In urban centers, the CTDs became the backbone of security operations, particularly in Punjab and Sindh, where hundreds of suspected militants were arrested during high-profile raids. The Karachi operation, conducted jointly by the Rangers and police, brought a degree of stability to the city previously plagued by political violence, terrorism, and organized crime. The effectiveness of these operations demonstrated the potential of civilian security forces when empowered through institutional reforms and strategic guidance.
Terror financing, a critical enabler of extremist activity, was also addressed under NAP with growing urgency. The government froze over 4,500 bank accounts linked to banned outfits and prosecuted individuals under anti-terror finance laws. Informal money transfer systems such as hawala and hundi were targeted, and institutions like the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) of the State Bank were strengthened. High-profile convictions, such as that of Hafiz Saeed in 2019, sent a clear signal that terror financing would no longer be tolerated under the guise of charity or social work. The international community took notice of these efforts, and by 2022, Pakistan was removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, a notable achievement considering the intense scrutiny it faced. This external validation was important not just diplomatically but also for rebuilding investor confidence in Pakistan’s economy.
Equally important were the initiatives aimed at regulating madrassas and controlling hate speech. Unregulated religious seminaries had long been criticized for spreading extremist ideologies, especially in vulnerable regions. Under NAP, the government undertook a mapping and registration drive of over 30,000 madrassas, placing them under the purview of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Efforts were made to reform curricula, reduce foreign funding, and encourage a balanced integration of religious and secular subjects. Although progress has been uneven and at times resisted by influential clerical lobbies, the initiative succeeded in breaking the monopoly of certain sectarian institutions that previously operated with impunity.
The state also took decisive steps to curtail hate speech. Amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act enabled authorities to prosecute individuals and media outlets promoting sectarian or extremist narratives. Thousands of pieces of incendiary literature were confiscated, websites promoting terrorism were blocked, and dozens of FM radio stations operated by banned outfits were shut down. Though social media continues to be a difficult domain to regulate fully, the government’s efforts to limit radical content online have shown progress. Overall, these measures contributed to reducing the influence of extremist discourse in public and religious spaces.
Perhaps one of the most unique and forward-looking aspects of Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy has been its focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. Projects like the Sabaoon Center in Swat, which provided psychological counseling and vocational training to former child militants, demonstrated a humane approach to deradicalization. Over 2,500 youths were successfully rehabilitated and returned to mainstream society through such programs. The Mashal Project and other reintegration initiatives sought to educate, counsel, and empower individuals previously caught in the web of extremism. Although limited in scope and reach, these programs represent an important acknowledgement that counterterrorism cannot rely solely on military means—it must also address root causes and provide pathways for redemption.
Despite these achievements, significant gaps and challenges remain in the implementation of NAP. The initial momentum of the plan gradually diminished due to shifting political priorities, bureaucratic inertia, and lack of coordination among federal and provincial bodies. While military operations have been largely successful in eliminating physical threats, the ideological battle against extremism remains unresolved. Many banned organizations have rebranded themselves under new names, participated in politics, or continued to operate under the radar. The absence of a comprehensive counter-extremism narrative and the failure to strengthen civilian institutions in tandem with military gains have limited the long-term efficacy of NAP.
Moreover, socio-economic disparities, political instability, and unresolved grievances continue to provide fertile ground for radicalization. In regions such as Balochistan and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), inadequate development, poor governance, and human rights concerns hinder sustainable peace. A truly holistic strategy against terrorism must prioritize education, employment, justice, and inclusion alongside security operations. Judicial reforms remain a critical missing link, as the criminal justice system continues to suffer from delays, weak prosecution, and vulnerability to external pressures.
3.5-Month Extensive Compulsory Subjects Course for CSS Aspirants
Struggling with CSS Compulsory subjects? Crack Pakistan Affairs, Islamiat, GSA & Current Affairs in just 3.5 months with Howfiv’s expert-led course. New batches every April, August & December! Secure your spot now – WhatsApp 0300-6322446!
Regionally, the evolving security landscape in Afghanistan has also affected the success of Pakistan’s counterterrorism policy. The resurgence of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) following the Taliban’s takeover in Kabul has reintroduced a potent threat to Pakistan’s western border. Cross-border sanctuaries, ideological linkages, and fluctuating diplomatic relations complicate Pakistan’s internal security calculus. Thus, without robust regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement, domestic counterterrorism efforts cannot achieve enduring success.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s National Action Plan has proven to be a landmark initiative that helped the state regain control over its security narrative and deal significant blows to terrorist networks. Through military operations, institutional reforms, financial controls, and deradicalization efforts, the country achieved a marked reduction in terrorist violence and restored a measure of stability. However, the long-term efficacy of NAP depends on sustained political commitment, continuous institutional reforms, and a broader strategy that addresses the socio-political roots of extremism. As terrorism mutates in form and ideology, Pakistan must evolve its response beyond reactive measures and toward a comprehensive, inclusive, and preventive model of national security. Only then can the hard-won gains of the past decade translate into lasting peace and resilience.
