POLICY PAPER Dr Maria Malik Women’s Roles in Countering Extremism Integrating Gender Security into Pakistan’s National Security Policy Executive Summary Pakistan struggles with Violent Extremism(VE) even though there has been structural and functional progress under counter terrorism measures such as National Action Plan(NAP). Women’s role in preventing and countering violent extremism(P/CVE) and the overall gender perspec­tive remains neglected in the existing approaches. There­by, this policy paper suggests to systematically integrate women’s skills, experiences and expertise in Pakistan’s next National Security Policy(NSP). This would not only make the National security framework more comprehensive but will also ensure social resilience and reduced radicaliza­tion. This policy paper recommends revising the NSP by integrating the gender perspective; building capacity for women across regions; increasing women’s participation in P/CVE policy and decision making and in the community peacebuilding. Introduction Pakistan, since the early 2000s, has faced multiple waves of violent extremism as a result of insurgent movements, sectarian violence and cross border militancy. Although, National Counter Terrorism Authority(NACTA) and other government agencies have reported a decline in terrorist events yet extremist tendencies are not only persisting but are picking up the momentum again. Militant violence has increased by 34 per cent while the terrorism related casual­ities increased by 21 per cent in the year 2025. 1 The landscape of violent extremism in Pakistan has demonstrated significant variation over different periods and regions. Balochistan has gone through a widespread wave of violence in name of ransom, sectarian attacks and insurgent and counter insurgent violence. Since the War on Terror, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen vio­lence in name of Nifaz e Shariat and resurfacing of Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan(TTP). The determinants of violence in Urban and Rural Sindh are different. In most of Karachi the street crimes, kidnappings and violence for ransom and gang violence is rampant while in Rural Sindh the dacoits rule with fear while the landlords(Wadairay) are involved in systematic yet widely unreported violence against the lower socio-economic classes. Punjab has mostly scene terrorist activities in South Punjab with sporadic events in the bigger cities of the Central Punjab. These activities are charachterised by a mix of sectarian violence, Islamist militancy, and targeted attacks. 1“Pakistan Witnessed 34 Per Cent Increase In Terrorism In 2025: PIPS Annual Security Report”, Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, January 1, 2026, accessed from https:// www.pakpips.com/article/8741. Women’s Roles in Countering Extremism: 1 Integrating Gender Security into Pakistan’s National Security Policy