A new surge in terrorism has “rattled” Islamabad and Beijing, prompting a joint investigation into the recent suicidal attack against Chinese nationals in Kohistan, KP. Regional anti-development and anti-humanity forces, along with international establishments’ anti-China and anti-BRI/CPEC obsession, are compelling these nations to orchestrate barbaric blasts in the region, especially in Pakistan, which has unfortunately been entangled with hegemonic imperialism for so many years. The DNA of terrorism in Pakistan has certain historic, religious, social, economic and cultural “codes” that need to be critically examined to prepare a new, holistic and comprehensive counter-terrorism policy to eradicate this multifaceted menace, which threatens our economic stability, sustainability, social harmony, ethnic tolerance, and national sovereignty integrity alike.
It has certain demographic and geographic connections and consequences in certain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan and Southern Punjab. Each has its own unique but orthodox compositions, trait-marks, religious-ethnic diversities and camouflage tactics. There is an urgent need to revisit our national policies and responses about each “X-factor” to eliminate dark forces from our soil to live soulful lives. Routine national response strategy has become “inadequate” against onslaught of clandestine acts and atrocious activities in the country pushing us towards greater chaos and unchartered fields. We used to depend upon a tactical retort however complexity of the ongoing warfare demands strategic counter-measures combating terrorism in the country. Thus there is an urgent need to revisit our National Security Plan transforming it according to bitter ground realities suffocating our economic prosperity, social synchronization and ethnic forbearance.
The defence forces of Pakistan and premier secret agencies – ISI, MI and IB – are striving hard to provide safety and security to Chinese nationals working on the mega projects of the CPEC in the country. However, socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic hang-over of the “Capitalism and Socialism” narrative’s ongoing battle, giving us a tough time to marginalize the centrifugal forces in the country. It seems the US Military Complex Theory has now been converted into China’s Containment and Collapse Theory which is spreading havoc in our region and Pakistan has been the easy prey of this extended war threat. The international project of franchised jihad against Communism in Afghanistan was the turning point in our peaceful history due to which we had to pay heavy price in terms of mushroom growth of matrix of Jihadi outfits in the society, spread of Kalashnikov culture and wide circulation of heroine among the youth.
Subsequently, radicalization, fanaticism and intolerance persisted, hindering our progress and decency. The society stagnated as various mafias blocked legitimate rights. The international power shift transformed mujahedeen from “Angels of God” to dangerous “fanatics” and “fugitives,” poisoning us further. The aftermath of 9/11 brought immense destruction and destabilization, turning Afghanistan into a global terrorism hub. Pakistan grappled with the “Do More Syndrome” and the dilemma of “Good & Bad Taliban,” fuelling local jihadist movements. This led to profound suffering, with over 80,000 civilians killed, 8,000 soldiers martyred, a $120 billion economic loss and extensive collateral damage.
Ironically, the Indian presence in Afghanistan, especially along the border with Pakistan, significantly increased over time. This led to a new wave of infiltration and terrorism in the KP, Balochistan and Southern Punjab. The “War Lords Mentality” of Afghan groups, along with their terrorist elements, acted as facilitators for Indian agendas, exacerbating the situation. The rise of the Deobandi school of thought and the proliferation of its Madaris (seminaries) in the country disrupted the religious balance, resulting in devastating socio-economic, geo-political and geo-strategic consequences in the KP, Balochistan and parts of Punjab. Private militias began to exert pressure on the state, establishing a parallel system of administration and accountability, culminating in the proliferation of self-serving “Shariah Courts” in KP.
Resultantly, extensive military operations eradicated these elements from society, particularly in North & South Waziristan and other regions, restoring the state’s authority. Despite this, local support for Islamist groups persisted, with certain clergy exploiting the situation for personal gain. The initiation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2013 sparked another wave of economic terrorism. Regional countries, backed by international forces, supported terrorist groups like TTP, TTA, Majeed Group, Al-Qaeda, the Haqqani Network and Hizb-e-Islami’s martial wing, aiming to infiltrate Pakistan and target Chinese projects.
In summary, a critical analysis reveals that many of the mega projects of CPEC, especially in KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan, are on faulty lines. Therefore, there is an urgent need to thoroughly investigate the realities of Shangla, upper and lower Kohistan and Battagram districts in KP, considering religious, social, tribal, ethnic and cultural factors. This is crucial as over 95% of terrorist attacks against the Chinese have occurred in these areas.
Gilgit-Baltistan, the window of CPEC is also under security threat. The social studies research confirms that the Diamer district in Gilgit-Baltistan has a special ethnic, faith and sect codification mainly dominated by the Shia and the Deobandi. The latter has a notorious history associated with Taliban, terrorism, radicalism and fanaticism in the past. Deobandi sect and its madaris are one of the main root-cause of ethnic divide, killings and terrorism in the entire region which is hurting Chinese presence and CPEC projects.
The poor law and order situation in Afghanistan, resettlement of TTP, TTA, IS-K in border areas of Afghanistan and its alliance with the international terrorist groups and their handlers/sponsors and facilitators pose security threat to Pakistan and the Chinese nationals as well as its mega project CPEC. The porous borders and ineffective paramilitary and border security arrangements are giving these terrorist groups a comparative advantage to infiltrate in Pakistan to launch attacks on CPEC installations or personnel.
—The writer is Executive Director, Centre for South Asia & International Studies, Islamabad, regional expert China, BRI & CPEC & senior analyst, world affairs, Pakistan Observer.
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