Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special representative for Afghanistan, has said in response to the recent attack in Kohat that military operations alone cannot defeat terrorism in the country.
Durrani said on Saturday, September 19, that the incident once again exposes weak state governance in parts of Pakistan.
He added that effective governance, political engagement and winning public trust are essential to countering terrorist groups.
Durrani said Pakistan should, alongside countering external support for armed groups, also investigate the activities of terrorist networks, facilitators and their financial supporters operating within the country.
He stressed that the main objective of counterterrorism is not merely to eliminate terrorists, but to restore the authority, legitimacy and credibility of the state.
