An Appraisal of Countering Violent Extremism Initiatives in Pakistan and Singapore

Syed Saqib Ali Shah

Abstract


Violent extremism is the most serious threat among several by-products of terrorism that are not only damaging the tolerant cultural and religious ethos of the Pakistani state and society but are also hurting its development and economy. This paper seeks to analyze the phenomena of violent extremism and the factors leading to it concerning the case studies of Pakistan and Singapore. The critical review includes a comparison of the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiatives in Pakistan and Singapore to highlight the lessons that the former can draw from the latter to fulfill the formidable challenge of CVE. Pakistan has so far achieved modest success in its fight against violent extremism, as the CVE programs are evolving from the embryonic to adolescence phase and it will stay partially successful unless done prudently. A smart and proactive CVE program built on a "whole of nation/ community approach" like the successes model of Singapore will assist Pakistan in further consolidating its gains and filling in the gaps that are currently present. Pakistan needs to go a step ahead from a “countering to preventing approach” to coping with the challenge of violent extremism.

Keywords


Countering Violent Extremism; Terrorism; Radicalization; Pakistan; Singapore

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33687/jsas.012.01.4496

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