
Why Pakistan's middle class backs terror while poor suffer from it
Team TOI Plus
TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Updated: May 18, 2025, 18:41 IST IST
A 2012 study, which has acquired new relevance after Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, reveals that Pakistan's urban middle class — shielded from violence and ideologically invested — sustains extremist groups
For years, the dominant explanation for terrorism in Pakistan has rested on a simple idea: that poverty breeds radicalism. It is a narrative among global policy experts that has shaped the direction of billions of dollars in international aid and development programmes.
Now, with Pahalgam and India's Operation Sindoor reigniting the debate over cross-border militancy, a 2012 Princeton-led study has acquired fresh relevance, revealing that the true drivers of extremism may lie closer to comfort than crisis.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Terror and sports cannot go together': Congress on Asia Cup matches against Pakistan
The Chandigarh Congress has opposed the proposed India-Pakistan cricket matches scheduled to be held during the Asia Cup in September, urging the Union Government to withhold clearance for the fixtures. The party has argued that 'terror and sports cannot go together,' questioning the moral and strategic logic behind resuming cricket ties with Pakistan. Rajiv Sharma, chief spokesperson of the Chandigarh Congress, said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to play against Pakistan at a neutral venue. He said the people of Chandigarh and other places in the country are upset with what he termed an 'unwarranted agreement,' particularly at a time when Operation Sindoor, launched in response to cross-border terrorism, is still ongoing. 'It is extremely disappointing that while not a single perpetrator of the Pahalgam attack has been brought to justice, the cricket boards of both nations are moving towards friendly sporting ties,' Sharma said. He warned that Indian sponsors' funds could inadvertently benefit the Pakistan Cricket Board, which, he claimed, may use the money to further terror activities against India. The Congress leader also questioned the BCCI's rationale behind opting for a neutral venue to accommodate Pakistan's interests, stating that India holds the right to host the tournament and should not compromise its position. Calling the decision an 'insult to the self-respect of the people of Chandigarh and the nation,' Sharma urged Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari to raise the issue in Parliament. He also slammed the office-bearers of the Union Territory Cricket Association for their silence on the matter, accusing them of compromising national pride for personal or political gains.


Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Monsoon session: Congress issues whip to Lok Sabha MPs for 3 days as House to debate on ‘Operation Sindoor'
The Congress has issued a whip to its Lok Sabha MPs, mandating their presence in the House for three days starting Monday, with a debate set to take place on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The ruling alliance and the opposition are set to lock horns over the two issues steeped in national security and foreign policy imperatives. The BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition parties are expected to field their top guns during the discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. A whip has been issued by the Congress mandating the presence of its MPs in the House for three days starting Monday. Sources said Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will speak on the issues amid indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may make an intervention to convey his government's "robust" stand against terrorism. After the first week of the Parliament's Monsoon session ended up in a virtual washout due to opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar and other issues, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on July 25 that the opposition has agreed to the start of a discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha on Monday and in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The two sides have consented to a marathon 16-hour debate in each House, which invariably stretches longer in practice.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
New Video Shows Indian Army's Northern Command's Surgical Precision In Operation Sindoor
On May 7, the Indian Army's Northern Command carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack. The Northern Command of the Indian Army shared a video on Sunday providing a glimpse into the surgical precision and strategic brilliance of Operation Sindoor. The video highlights the planning, execution, and outcome of the operation, demonstrating the Northern Command's expertise and professionalism in dealing with hostile elements. The Indian Army's Northern Command has successfully executed Operation Sindoor, a precision operation in which India targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. It was carried out on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead on April 22. The operation showcased the Command's strategic brilliance, coordination, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation's northern frontiers. *OP SINDOOR* #NorthernCommand played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, executing precision strikes with strategic brilliance. From planning to execution, #NorthernCommand led with unmatched coordination, resilience, and courage. The operation dealt a crippling blow to… — NORTHERN COMMAND – INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) July 27, 2025 In the post on X, the Indian Army noted that the operation was marked by unmatched coordination, resilience, and courage, from planning to execution. The success of Operation Sindoor reaffirms the Command's legacy as a shield guarding India's northern borders with unwavering dedication. The operation stands as a testament to the Northern Command's unwavering resolve, professionalism, and commitment to national security. It marks a significant milestone in India's defence history, highlighting the Command's pivotal role in protecting the nation. Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched an offensive against Indian military bases and resorted to shelling the border areas for the next three days. Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday said that Operation Sindoor is not over yet and that Indian soldiers need to remain vigilant all the time throughout the year. Addressing a gathering at the Capstone Seminar in the national capital on Friday, CDS Chauhan said, 'Operation Sindoor still continues. Our preparedness level has to be very high, 24×7, 365 days." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.