THE STRATEGY OF WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS: AN EVALUATION

Abstract

After 9/11, Pakistan joined the United States in combating terrorism. However, after entering into an alliance for the Global War on Terror (GWOT) with the U.S., numerous internal security threats adversely impacted the security of civilians, particularly in the tribal areas of the country. This paper examines how organisations such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban mobilised people’s support by embracing cultural endowment and ethereal beliefs that the local people had, and how the Pakistan Army neutralised these tactics. In the realm of civil-military operations and their subsequent stabilisation and reconstruction, the Army intended to remove terrorists from their existing territories and regain the trust of the communities. This paper aims to analyse the strategy of “winning hearts and minds” (WHAM) used by the Pakistan Army throughout the war on terror. The assessment of WHAM also examines various education and community awareness projects, media, and healthcare facilities. Lastly, it evaluates the effectiveness at the tactical level and the citizens’ perception of these endeavours and suggests the following strategic plans to increase security and stability in Pakistan.