Terror Occurrences in Pakistan: Is it in Waves or Strains?

Abstract

In the early decade of twenty first century, violent activities of religious fundamentalists increased in fragile states. Waves theory of terrorism explained cyclic progression of terrorism and propagation of terrorist related activities from 1880 till first decade of twenty first century. The main focus of theory was the acts perpetrated by militant, violent and extremist groups of individuals emerged in waves of ideologies. Strains theory of Terrorism has been presented which has provided an alternative explanation about progression of terrorism. The main theme of this theory has been organizational context of terrorist organizations who interact regularly with direct competitors, learn from both their own and their rivals’ success. This study is the historical analytical study of terrorism in Pakistan, keeping the theoretical frame work of both theories. It has been explained that Pakistan is currently going through Religious Wave and Social exclusion stages of proposed theories.