Publication

This brief discusses the Pakistani military's operation Zarb e Azb (Sword of the Prophet), which has the objective of dealing with militant groups in the country's North Waziristan region. The author provides the background to the military offensive, examines its limitations, and looks at the measures taken, or rather the lack thereof to de-radicalize and reintegrate the militants in the region once the fighting is over. He contends that failure to implement these measures effectively will mean that Zarb e Azb will only prove a quick fix and not a long lasting solution to the menace of militancy in Pakistan.