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Conclusions and Recommendations: M.Phil Thesis by Alya Talib
Conclusions and Recommendations: M.Phil Thesis by Alya Talib
Conclusions and Recommendations: M.Phil Thesis by Alya Talib
CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
PAGE
7.1 .INTRODUCTION
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7.4 CONCLUSION
14
REFERENCES
15
CHAPTER 8
CONCLUSIONS AND
M.Phil Thesis by Alya Talib
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RECOMMENDATIONS
In this chapter, we will look at:
Introduction
Conclusions
Recommendations
8.1
INTRODUCTION
We have discussed in the preceding chapters details of origin, history and growth of
Now we are in a position to summarize our findings, draw meaningful conclusions and
float some recommendations to avert sectarianism from Pakistani society. In this chapter, we will
highlight the key conclusions of our research work and discuss a few recommendations that can
be made to normalize and eliminate sectarian trends from Pakistani society.
8.2
We reckon that the following factors are the key drivers of sectarianism in Pakistan:
1. Sectarianism existed in sub continent since pre partition time.
2. Sectarian polarization became acute after independence of Pakistan (Ahmed, 2013)
3. Sectarianism was triggered by the following incidents in history (Meher, 2004):
M.Phil Thesis by Alya Talib
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CURRENT SCENARIO:
1. Sectarian threat has assumed an alarming proportions since more recently (Hassan, 2013;
Dawn, 2014)
2. Since recently sectarianism is now politicized in Pakistan (Iqbal, 2012)
3. With increasing number of sectarian attacks, Pakistan is in a dire need of revisiting
foreign policy as sectarian attacks are linked to Pakistans involvement in war on terror.
4. A significant number of sectarian killings have been observed in the recent past between
2011-2013
8.3
PROSPECTS OF SECTAIANISM:
From the foregoing discussions in the previous chapters and in this chapter, it is evident
that with given trends and dispositions, sectarianism is bound to grow in Pakistan. Not
surprisingly, the sectarian killings have risen sharply in the recent past, after terrorism,
sectarianism has already assumed the status of second biggest threat to the peace and stability of
Pakistani society. If these dispositions continue to prevail as they do now, the menace of
sectarianism will threaten the very fabric of our society. However, with careful deliberation of
M.Phil Thesis by Alya Talib
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the above mentioned causes, an anti sectarian strategy can be charted. We make following
recommendations for an anti sectarianism strategy to evolve for Pakistans sectarian crises.
8.4
RECOMMENDATIONS:
From the above mentioned drivers of sectarianism in Pakistan, many historical causes now
cannot be managed. Those which can be managed are reproduced as below:
1. Sectarianism has thrived in Pakistan through ideological and financial support from
several external sources
2. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain and Egypt have supported sectarian divide in
Pakistan
3. Sectarian attacks are closely linked with and mimic terror attacks
4. More recently terror attacks have assumed a sectarian character
5. Pakistans involvement in war on terror catalyzed anti US sentiments expressed through
sectarian attacks in Pakistan.
6. A pro US foreign policy of Pakistan elicited sectarian / terror attacks in Pakistan
7. After 9/11, a sharp increase in the number injured /killed in sectarian clashes in Pakistan
have been observed
8. Forces of extremism, terrorism and sectarianism overlap and work in support of each
other.
9. Religious clerics of prominent sectarian organizations are perceived to use Madrassa
students to advance sectarian clashes advised by their foreign masters.
10. Part of the problem of sectarianism is linked to economic reasons.
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11. The current extremists trends in Pakistan are perceived to be linked via many folds to
Pakistans involvement in proxy US war on terror.
12. Since recently sectarianism is now politicized in Pakistan (Iqbal, 2012)
13. With increasing number of sectarian attacks, Pakistan is in a dire need of revisiting
foreign policy as sectarian attacks are linked to Pakistans involvement in war on terror.
14. A significant number of sectarian killings have been observed in the recent past between
2011-2013
To remedy the above mentioned drivers of sectarianism in Pakistan, we would like to make the
following recommendations which will normalize and/or completely solve and uproot the
sectarian crises from Pakistan.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Since majority of the students enrolled at Madrassas in Pakistan who are trained for sectarian
clashes later come from poor families, poor economic conditions are also one of the reasons why
sectarianism is flourishing in Pakistan. We need to be realistic about poor economic realities of
these families who send their kids to Madrassa where they are used for sectarian causes. Govt. of
Pakistan must articulate a strategy through regionalism whereby economic benefits of many
lucrative opportunities that prevail in todays regional environment may reach these destitute
families. If the Govt. of Pakistan is any serious about dealing with sectarianism, it must weed out
its root cause which is poor economic conditions and lack of education and employability of
these students who enroll at these Madrassas. We highlight a bleak roadmap as to how some of
the potential economic rewards accruing from a new foreign policy based on regionalism can be
channelized to these families.
With these arrangements put in place, Pakistan will be able to bring itself on track to recover
from the chronic problem of sectarianism. Since many of the causes of sectarian crises are linked
with causes of a terrorists backlash in Pakistan and are entangled with Pakistans involvement in
war on terror.
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CHINA OR US:
1. Since China is regionally proximate, diplomatically aligned and shares an anti-Indian
sentiment with Pakistan, China must be our number one ally and friend in our new
foreign policy regional approach at all levels
2. Regional policy must be envisioned on a long term basis and relationships must be built
for a strategic time frame.
3. Choosing China over United States has strategic leverages to Pakistan
4. Choosing China will mandate US policy to tilt towards Pakistan more constructively.
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5. Shift from globalism to regionalism will be welcomed by Taliban forces who will stop
feeding the sectarian forces in Pakistan.
6. Choosing China will force US to understand Pakistans real potential and shun adhocism.
CHINA:
1. Pakistan must initiate flow of knowhow from Chinese labor intensive cottage industry
2. Train madrassa students in the requisite vocational skills for cottage industry.
3. Strategize to channelize the economic benefits to the sectarian activists and students
CENTRAL ASIA
1. Start trade via the land route and develop economies of CAS and Pakistan
2. Fully tap the economic and cultural potential of opportunities prevailing with Central
Asian region.
AFGHANISTAN
1. A stable political situation in Afghanistan needed to averse sectarian violence
Pakistan
2. A non-Taliban stable rule in Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan to
stabilize situation of sectarianism in Pakistan
IRAN:
1. Baluchistan and Quetta are already hotspots for sectarian violence in
Pakistan(Naeem, 2014)
2. Economic development in Baluchistan must be ushered in and sustained through Iran
Pakistan gas pipeline project
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REFERENCES:
1
Narain, R, S; and Singh (2005) Asian strategic and military perspective. Lancer publishers,
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