Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS): A Threat to Pakistan?

Abstract

The rise of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), as an extremist group, is not a new phenomenon for the Middle East‟s security architecture, rather it has deep roots in countries of the region marked by weak military structures, authoritarian political systems and deteriorated security environment. On the contrary, Pakistan is a democratic and moderate state with a vibrant society. The resilient response of the country‟s civil-military leadership to brutalities of Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Khilafat Wa Jihad (Movement for the Caliphate and Jihad-TKJ), Jundallah and Jamaat-ul-Ahraar (Assembly of the Free-JA), etc. have shrunk the possibility of any transnational militant organisation such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) establishing its organised stronghold. The paper briefly looks at this extremist organisation and its impacts on South Asia, and provides detailed insight about why the rise of ISIS would not become an organised operational threat for Pakistan, and suggests ways to overcome its inspirational role that could become a matter of concern for the country.