Editorial
Dhaka as regional centre for counter-terrorism
The need is to make the most of it
The news that a regional Counter-Terrorism Centre will be set up in Dhaka with European Union (EU)'s financial assistance is a welcome development. Though Bangladesh is not quite a focal point of terrorism, still in the South Asian context, in particular, our vulnerability to this global menace cannot be overemphasized.
In fact, local variants of terrorism, especially militancy, have tried to raise their ugly heads from time to time in Bangladesh. And these forms of terrorism are not entirely home-grown either. That is because, in the modern-day world no country is an island and impervious to international events including terrorism. That is why, without appearing to be a direct target of terrorism, a country can still host terrorism by acting as a transit for terrorists and their arms and weapons. And there is growing proof that Bangladesh has in the past been used as a safe shelter as well as a corridor for terrorists and their deadly cargoes.
What is of particular concern is the recurrence of terrorist, especially, militant attacks at different places in India and Pakistan over the years. In the circumstances, there is no reason to think that Bangladesh as a South Asian nation will not ever be a target of global terrorism in the future.
Against this backdrop, it is reassuring that both India and Pakistan have supported the move to create a regional counter-terrorism centre in Dhaka. The concurrence of the both India and Pakistan in the matter marks a growing realisation between the two traditional South-Asian rivals to view South-Asian theatre of terrorism from a regional angle and combat it accordingly. And with Dhaka hosting the centre for combating regional terrorism, our regional as well as international image as a nation committed to the cause of combating the global scourge of terrorism will be further enhanced.
As a nation facing the dual challenge of poverty and overpopulation in its struggle for economic development and graduating to a middle-income country within a decade, the threat of terrorism is staring us in the face. In this situation, we cannot afford any laxity in combating this danger lurking in the shadow. So, the government needs to make the most of the regional Counter-Terrorism Centre to go operational from next year in Dhaka and enhance the nation's preparedness against and capability to combat all forms of terrorism that may come in the way of its economic growth.
We regard the centre will give a tangible expression to the urge of South Asian countries to coordinate and cooperate in the common war against terrorism in any form, overt or covert.
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