Pakistan, Feb. 27 -- As the government expands its campaign against armed fighters in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a new battle emerges - not just on the ground but in the realm of narratives or ideas. The government has introduced the National Prevention of Violent Extremism (NPVE) Policy, which is mainly to counter extremism through new tools - education, media and community engagement, alongside military action.

The policy is different from past strategies that relied mostly on gun power. It promotes a "whole-of-society" approach, focusing on reforming school curricula, engaging religious leaders, and countering extremist narratives online. It also includes efforts to rehabilitate former fighters and reintegrate affected commun...