Implementing The National Action Plan: The Role Of Education And Media In Combating Terrorism In Pakistan

Abstract

The paper investigates the implementation and effectiveness of National Action Plan (NAP) in Pakistan and particularly looking its critical areas in nature i.e. Education and Media plays major roles for countering extremism and terrorism ideologies. The NAP, announced in December 2014, sets out 20 points to tackle different aspects of counter-terrorism. However the struggle fails to gather major focus with various sectors for reforms as such as educational and media remain unattended. By examining how educational curriculum reforms and media regulations under the NAP have played a role in deradicalization efforts, this study aspires to identify what hopes to be achieved and the related challenges. The study takes a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative data such as policy analysis and expert interviews with quantitative data on media flows and educational impacts. Among the key findings: progress in aligning educational material to anti-extremism objectives has been made, but implementation remains uneven due to bureaucratic resistance, political influence and socioeconomic considerations. Subsequently, media regulations have played a part also, though the fluidity between media freedom and sensationalism means that this battle is far from over. The paper ends with a series of policy recommendations to make education and media reforms more effective in the fight against terrorism; increased training for teachers, curricular changes and tighter controls on media to prevent dissemination of narratives conducive to extremism. This underlines the requirement for long-term interventions in order ensure the success of NAP objectives in Pakistan.