Countering Terrorism: A private perspective
By Fizzah Shakil
Today's challenges are multifaceted. Simple solutions have proven impossible to combat them all. Among the biggest challenges of this century is terrorism, the likes of which poses a constant threat to our national sanctity as well as public social life. The irony of it all is that the international powers which overtly or covertly use terrorism in one form or the other are technologically so advanced that the world is compelled to look up to them for solutions.
In Pakistan's context terrorism in all its different forms has not only consumed thousands of lives but also has let loose the reign of psychological insecurity. As a result, the question of securitizing society has become all the more relevant as never before. With the announcement of CPEC in this region many opportunities have sprung up and one of them is the security providing regime which needs to be fool proof, scientific and result oriented.
Ensuring a safe and secure environment has always remained the responsibility of the state but in Pakistan's context it’s the other way around. The gap has been slowly filled by the private sector security initiatives to supplement the public sector since the government lacks capacity and will while the state establishment has other acute challenges to meet with.
A recent conference organized by Pakistan Security Services and systems association in collaboration with Hunan Huashun Jin Gan Security Consulting Services Co. Ltd. titled Private Security and Counter Terrorism Challenges brought up some very interesting angles to the whole debate of who actually is primarily responsible for providing security to the people and creating a terror free society.Various speakers who deliberated on the occasion were of the view that the much burgeoning private sector has done a commendable job in Pakistan's context, though there have been some deficiencies in a few areas.
Lack of training facilities, financial contraption, absence of state of the art modern technology and some other pertinent aspects always hinder the upcoming security providers sector yet the professionals in the field are quite hopeful that the future of this evolving field is quite bright. Besides, according to the officials present as speakers, investigation should be the prime focus of our police force rather being only bogged down with securitizing. Initiating private academies to train people for security, like the Chinese, will help build our capacity as a counter terrorist force, said Sardar Shoukat Popalzai. For a smart city, a concept rapidly gaining root, it is essential for the government to design ways for responsible, active and vigilant civil society participation. According to Popalzai, safe city is a diminishing model, one that our city failed to capture due to defunct cameras and criminal negligence.
The Chinese counterparts present during the conference expressed their commitment due to the assurance from the new leadership and the active participation of military and paramilitary persons. They were of the view that both countries can learn from each other and closer partnerships may evolve as a consequence. With the number of investors the country is attracting with CPEC, some believed that it is the duty of the business sector to pitch in for the requisite necessary technological solutions in private security.
The guest speakers who addressed the conference included Fizzah Shakeel, Sardar Shoukat Popalzai (Chairman PSSSA), Yang Xiaoqing (Chairperson Hunan HuashunJinGan Security Consulting services Co Ltd.), Major retd Munir Ahmed (Former Chairman APSAA), Brigadier retd Muhammad Farooq Shaukat, IGP retdNiaz Ahmed Siddiki, Wang Shaoxing, Muhammad Faheem (COO MS Technologies). Additional IGP Sind Mushtaq Meher also briefly spoke about the current situation while the closing remarks were offered by Tang Jikai, Chairman China Pakistan Business and Investment Promotion Council.
