Pakistan faces terrorist threats from various militant outfits operating within its territory. The state's counterterrorism strategy is largely focused on a military response despite widespread understanding that a broader and more holistic approach is needed. One major constraining factor, especially in the country's heartland, is the weakness of civilian law enforcement agencies, particularly the police. Experts increasingly caution that this fundamental weakness may prevent Pakistan from quelling militancy for a long time to come. Moreover, the deterioration in the rule of law in large parts of rural Pakistan has enabled various terrorist, extremist and criminal groups to operate with relative impunity.

On February 9, 2011, USIP convened a panel discussion to mark the launch of a new USIP Special Report on the need for a well-trained civilian law enforcement apparatus in Pakistan. In the report, "Reforming Pakistan's Police and Law Enforcement Infrastructure: Is It Too Flawed to Fix?", author Hassan Abbas investigates the current state of Pakistan's law enforcement sector in context of rising crime and violence in Pakistan. The Special Report evaluates the obstacles to reform and considers both traditional and innovative reform options. Panelists highlighted the importance of civilian law enforcement in contexts such as Pakistan in light of the challenges the country faces.

Speakers

• Hassan Abbas, panelist
  Quaid-i-Azam Chair Professor, South Asia Institute
  Columbia University
• Hasan Alvi, panelist
  Pakistan Police Officer
  Masters Candidate at Harvard Kennedy School
• Robert M . Perito, panelist
  Director, Security Sector Governance Center, Centers of Innovation
  U.S. Institute of Peace
• Moeed Yusuf, moderator
  South Asia Adviser
  U.S. Institute of Peace

Explore Further

• Learn more about USIP's work in Pakistan
• Read "Reforming Pakistan's Police and Law Enforcement Infrastructure: Is it Too Flawed to Fix?"
  Special Report | March 2011
• USIP Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention