Abstract
Extant terrorism studies can be characterized, among other discrepancies, by the absence of systematic study of terrorism persistence more specifically the conceptual validity of prevailing longevity arguments in explaining empirical reality. This article helps to fill the gap. It does so by subjecting existing theories coalesced from a diverse set of relevant literature to a structured critique, and then pitches the salient inferences to a plausibility probe through a case study of terrorism landscape in Pakistan. Several gaps transpire in current research warranting revisit of major assumptions to harmonize theory with real time dynamics of clandestine non-state violence. More importantly, the study engenders unique insights which can benefit future study of terrorism prolongation in identical settings.