Framing communication strategies towards countering violent extremism among political and military leaders in Pakistan

• Main Author: Mustaqeem, Sundus
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: JA Political science (General); P Philology. Linguistics
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/10179/1/s901976_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/10179/

Violent extremism has become a global concern especially after 9/11, and several countries are now developing comprehensive strategies to find out the causes of violent extremism. Violent extremism in Pakistan has remained a challenge while the causes identified, and the countering violent extremism measures being used have not really helped in the containment. Therefore, this study aims to define the plausible communication strategies that can be used to counter violent extremism in Pakistan. In addition, this study also investigates how political leaders and military leaders perceive countering violent extremism in Pakistan and to understand the extent that Pakistani military and government have been successful in tackling the issue of terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. Thus, the objectives have been set to deal research problems and answer the research questions. First the objectives have been set to define the plausible communication strategies that can be used to counter violent extremism in Pakistan. Moreover, to investigate how political leaders and security experts perceive countering violent extremism in Pakistan; and to understand the extent that Pakistani army and government have been successful in tackling the issue of terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. An in-depth interview with political leaders and military leaders were conducted. The data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed two plausible communication strategies, namely perceptions of violent extremism, perceptions of political leaders and extremism experts, media and communication approach, counter narrative message strategies for Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) in Pakistan, collaborative actions for CVE, army and government adaptation of operational tactics for CVE, and tackling image of Pakistan. The findings of this study inclusively found the perspectives of strategic communication in countering violent extremism through the establishment of methods such as ideologies, mass media messages, and different narratives are used to activate, mobilize, teach, and inform on the issue. Furthermore, the findings of this study demonstrated that countering violent extremism policies can addressed the development of violent extremism, by applying the dimensions of strategic communication for maximum success. Moreover, based on this study’s findings, it can also be concluded that integrating cultural-entertainment communication will go a long way to counter violent extremism in Pakistan. The study has also contributed considerably to the existing knowledge on countering violent extremism and strategic communication through the application of the Structural Theory of Violence and Message Influence theory. Future research should consider engaging other approaches particularly, content analysis and surveys, in order to offer more comprehensive accounts of how countering violent extremism will be successful and long-lasting.