ISLAM is a religion whose foundational message is peace, compassion and mercy for all humanity.

Its teachings emphasize harmony among people, purification of hearts from hatred and prejudice and the promotion of justice as the bedrock of social order. The Qur’anic worldview seeks to reduce conflict through dialogue, mutual respect and equitable conduct within societies and among nations. At its core, Islam envisions peace not merely as the absence of war, but as a comprehensive moral and social condition grounded in justice. In stark contrast to this philosophy stands the violent ideology associated with Fitna-Al-Khawarij (FAK), formerly known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The very term “Khawarij” historically refers to an extremist sect that rebelled against legitimate authority and declared fellow Muslims apostates. By adopting this label, the state has underscored the group’s deviation from mainstream Islamic teachings. FAK’s operational philosophy revolves around violence, intimidation and the deliberate targeting of civilians, actions fundamentally opposed to Islam’s ethical framework.

For over two decades, this terrorist outfit has cloaked itself in religious rhetoric while perpetrating acts that defy Islamic injunctions. Its attacks on security forces, schools, markets, mosques and public spaces across Pakistan have not only claimed innocent lives but also distorted the global perception of Islam. Narratives such as “Islamophobia,” “political Islam” and “Islamic militancy” have gained currency internationally, often fueled by the brutal actions of groups........

© Pakistan Observer