Monitoring Desk: An Expert Panel Discussion was held at CIPS-NUST Islamabad titled ‘“Twenty-Five Years After 9/11: Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Experience, Challenges and the Way Forward”. CIPS-NUST held discussion in collaboration with the Sanobar Institute.
The discussion brought together distinguished experts and practitioners to reflect on Pakistan’s counter-terrorism experience over the past twenty-five years, the evolving nature of terrorism and security challenges, and the policy priorities required to address emerging threats. The distinguished panel comprised Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar (Former Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan); Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry (Chairman, Sanobar Institute & Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan); Maj General [R] Zahid Mahmood, (Principal NIPCONS-NUST & Defence Analyst); and Mr. Amir Rana (Director, PIPS & Security Analyst). The session was moderated by Dr Qamar Cheema, Executive Director, Sanobar Institute.
The event was attended by NUST students, members of the diplomatic community, faculty, researchers, and other invited participants, providing a valuable platform for dialogue between academia, policymakers, and practitioners. The insightful discussion concluded with a healthy and engaging Q&A session, allowing students and participants to engage directly with the distinguished panelists on Pakistan’s counter-terrorism journey, regional security dynamics, and the way forward.
It may be mentioned that Sanober Institute (SI) is a non-partisan platform committed to fostering informed dialogue on critical subjects that affect not only Pakistan but the broader South Asian region, focusing areas include geo-politics, geoeconomics, governance, and environmental issues.
It may be remembered that since 2001, Pakistan has launched major operations including Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, clearing terrorist sanctuaries from Pak-Afghan border areas at the cost of around 80,000-90,000 total casualties and over $120 billion in economic losses. Persistent challenges involve TTP resurgence from Afghan soil post-2021, governance gaps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and incomplete deradicalization, pointing to the need for sustained multi-agency strategies beyond purely military responses.
