Countering Terrorism in Pakistan’s Megacities: Exploring the Role of the Pakistan Police
In light of the release of a new USIP Special Report entitled "A Counter Terrorism Role for Pakistan’s Police Stations," panel experts discussed the capacity of Pakistan’s local police to counter terrorism in the nation’s urban centers.
Violence from terrorism, secessionist insurgency, sectarian conflict and ethnic turf wars is escalating in Pakistan’s megacities. Yet while the police force and its personnel remain ill-prepared and poorly equipped to meet the challenge, even skeptics recognize that police and law enforcement are the single most important institution in facing Pakistan’s counterterrorism challenge.
On September 8th, the U.S. Institute of Peace convened a panel to explore ways to increase the capacity of Pakistan’s local police to counter terrorism in the nation’s urban centers. Reflecting findings from the USIP Special Report, "A Counter Terrorism Role for Pakistan’s Police Stations," panelists discussed the role of Pakistan’s local police in combating the country’s endemic violence and provided recommendations for ways in which Pakistan’s government and the international community can assist the police going forward.
This discussion featured the following speakers:
- Tariq Parvez
Former Coordinator, Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority - Ambassador Robin Raphel
Former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs - Robert Perito
Executive Director, The Perito Group - Moeed Yusuf, Moderator
Director, South Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace
