Editorial
JWG on counterterrorism
We need to learn from others' experience to perfect the mechanism
THE government is thinking of setting up joint working groups (JWG) on counterterrorism with some countries, and towards that end has already decided in principle to form a JWG with the UK. An MOU will be signed between the two countries during the visit of the UK Permanent Undersecretary on security and counterterrorism, next month,
One recalls the comments of the UK home secretary during her visit to Bangladesh last year that there might have been links between terrorists of the two countries. So, there is a felt need for the UK and Bangladesh to work together to address the issue. It is a fact that the matter of joint working has been on the anvil since the time of the caretaker government, but for some reason it did not fructify. Be that as it may, the idea of pooling resources and exchanging data to combat a global scourge is an eminently good idea and must be welcomed.
There is no denying the fact that the terrorists have the uncanny knack of establishing link beyond the country's borders and often work to sustain each other; and it is a pity that states often flounder in their attempt to combat terrorism because of many systemic shortcomings that might be removed by having a JWG.
However, there are a few things that we feel should be borne in mind as we firm up working arrangement with another country. Bangladesh is yet to formulate its strategy, let alone perfect the means, of combatting terrorism in the country. We are fortunate that the scope and intensity of the phenomenon are not what one sees in some of the countries of the region. While we must draw upon the experience of other countries' fight against terrorism, our planners must not overlook the fact that the causes of germination of terrorism vary from country to country, and therefore, the strategy should be responsive to these aspects of requirement.
One must therefore move carefully while embarking on bilateral ventures like that of setting up a working group with another country. There is a need, we feel, to determine the exact modalities and the specific areas of cooperation. After all, we can ill afford a situation that Pakistan is facing at the moment despite having worked together with the USA in combating terrorism. We can hardly risk the arrangement to go awry because of lack of mutual accommodation and due diligence. Before we finalise the matter there is every need to see how best the arrangement would serve our purpose without hampering our national interest and security.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments