Educated in extremism

The law enforcers are directly engaging with academics to think ways of countering extremist thoughts among university graduates

A conference was organised by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Sindh on July 12 at the Central Police Office, Karachi, where leading academics and vice chancellors of various Sindh varsities, including private and public sectors, were invited to talk about the growing radicalisation in campuses.

During the conference, it was observed that the next generation of militants is more likely to have university education rather than a madrassa background. To prove their point, the recent cases of Noreen Laghari and Saad Aziz were quoted. However, these two examples are not the only ones where educated youth have fallen into the hands of extremist elements.

What was perhaps not discussed or reported was the terrible and brutal murder of Mashal Khan which is perhaps the most extreme example of radicalisation of a campus.

Talking about Karachi University (KU), Dr Hassan Auj a civil society activist, said, “We are now scared of westernised, clean-shaven religious zealots who keep threatening the teachers with a moderate approach. Recently, a teacher at the KU was threatened for maintaining a neutral view regarding Mumtaz Qadri and he had to leave the class since students were harassing him.”

In May 2015 when a bus carrying members of the Ismaili community near Safoora roundabout was targeted, killing more than 40 people including women and old men, a majority of the 11 attackers involved were highly educated including engineers and business executives.

Former Director General Federal Investigation Agency and counter terrorism expert, Tariq Khosa said, “The youth of today are misguided. The state has failed to provide moral authority and guidance to these youngsters. The youth are invariably influenced by the environment; product of a society that has not seen social justice and rule of law. There is cut-throat competition and success is achieved through means foul or fair”.